noon
The house was very warm and cheerful when they arose , and after breakfasting Hosmer felt unusually reluctant to quit his fire-side and face the inclement day ; for an unaccustomed fatigue hung upon his limbs and his body was sore , as from the effect of bruises . But he went , nevertheless , well encased in protective rubber ; and as he turned away from the house , Fanny hastened to the hanging basket , and fumbling nervously in its depths , found what the complaisant Sampson had left for her . The cold rain had gradually changed into a fine mist , that in descending , spread an icy coat upon every object that it touched . When Hosmer returned at noon , he did not leave the house again . During the afternoon Thérèse knocked at Fanny 's door . She was enveloped in a long hooded cloak , her face glowing from contact with the sharp moist air , and myriad crystal drops clinging to her fluffy blonde hair that looked very golden under the dark hood that covered it . She wanted to learn how Fanny accepted this unpleasant change of atmospheric conditions , intending to bear her company for the remainder of the day if she found her depressed , as was often the case .