nearly noon
`` I have uttered only what I believe to be true , '' answered the wife , in a milder tone , yet with a firmness that showed her spirit to be unsubdued . No further words passed between them . Half an hour afterward , up to which time Andrew had not come home , Mr. Howland left the house and went to his place of business . Time passed on until nearly noon , and yet Andrew was still away . Mrs. Howland , whose mind was in a state of strong excitement , could bear her suspense and fear no longer , and she resolved to go out and seek for her wandering son . She had dressed herself , and was just taking up her bonnet , as the door of her room opened , and Andrew came in , looking pale and distressed . Across his forehead was a deep , red mark , the scar left by the wound he received , when he fell on the pavement , in the attempt to escape from the watchman .