noon
Now , of a sudden , Dale himself offered to give her a day out at the very first opportunity . Little Rachel had never seen the sea , and expressed a strong desire to look upon the wonders of the deep ; so daddy promised to take her and her mother to Rodhaven Pier directly he was free enough to do so . In the end he chose a Sunday for this treat , saying that the better the day the better the deed . He came out of chapel before the sermon ; they dined at noon , and started in good time to catch the train at Rodchurch Road . At the moment of departure , when the horse and wagonette stood ready , and Dale in his silk hat , black coat , and dogskin gloves was about to mount the box-seat , the boy Billy began to howl most pitifully because he was being left behind . Mavis , whose heartstrings were torn by the sight of her angel 's tears and the sound of his yells , looked at Dale appealingly . `` All right , '' said Dale .