midday
Humfrey was not the only one to remark them . Lady Shrewsbury nodded once or twice to herself as one who had discovered what she sought , and the next morning a mandate arrived at Bridgefield that Master Richard and his wife should come to speak with my Lady Countess . Richard and his son were out of reach , having joined a party of the guests who had gone out hunting . Susan had to go alone , for she wished to keep Cicely as much as possible out of her Ladyship 's sight , so she left the girl in charge of her keys , so that if father brought home any of the hunters to the midday meal , tankards and glasses might not be lacking . The Countess 's summons was to her own bower , a sort of dressing-room , within her great state bed-room , and with a small glazed window looking down into the great hall where her ladies sat at work , whence she could on occasion call down orders or directions or reproofs . Susan had known what it was to stand in dread of such a window at Chatsworth or Hardwicke , whence shrill shrieks of objurgation , followed sometimes by such missiles as pincushions , shoes , or combs . However the window was now closed , and my Lady sat in her arm-chair , as on a throne , a stool being set , to which she motioned her kinswoman .