about noon
_ One _ , two , three , four , five , six , sev ` n ; _ one _ , two , three , four , five -- '' And the next moment the two were improvising a farcical duet that in its way was a masterpiece of ingenious musicianship . Thence they passed on to more serious music until finally Sandy was persuaded to produce his violin -- he had two , one of which , as he was wont to remark , `` lodged '' at Mallow . With the help of Penelope and Ralph Fenton , the afternoon was whiled away until a low-toned gong , reverberating through the house was a warning that it was time to dress for dinner , brought the impromptu concert to an abrupt end . It was a soft , misty day when Trenby called to drive Nan over to the Trevithick Kennels -- one of those veiled mornings which break about noon into a glory of blue sky and golden sunlight . As she stepped into the waiting car , Roger stopped her abruptly . `` Go back and put on something thicker , '' he commanded . `` It 'll be chilly driving in this mist . ''