noon
Pauline looked after them with longing . They would sit under the overhanging trees ; they would eat fruit and talk nonsense and laugh . Doubtless they would talk about her and the birthday so near at hand . At noon the schoolroom was hot , too , for the sun beat hard upon the windows , and Pauline felt more stifled and more headachy and sulky than ever . `` Oh ! please , '' she said , as Miss Tredgold was leaving the room , `` I ca n't do this horrid writing to-day . Please forgive me .