midday
And this morning she had new troubles to think about . Virginia was keeping her room ; would admit no one ; answered every whisper of appeal with brief , vague words that signified anything or nothing . The others breakfasted in gloom that harmonized only too well with the heavy , dripping sky visible from their windows . Only at midday did Alice succeed in obtaining speech with her remorseful sister . They were closeted together for more than an hour , and the elder woman came forth at last with red , tear-swollen eyes . ` We must leave her alone today , ' she said to Monica . ` She wo n't take any meal .