noon
The head of the firm was a quiet-living , narrow-minded , though friendly , man of fifty ; and he took a serious interest in Jim 's love-suit , frequently inquiring how it progressed , and assuring Jim that if he chose to marry he might have all the upper floor at a low rent , he , Mr. Vine , contenting himself entirely with the ground level . It had been so convenient for discussing business matters to have Jim in the same house , that he did not wish any change to be made in consequence of a change in Jim 's domestic estate . Margery knew of this wish , and of Jim 's concurrent feeling ; and did not like the idea at all . About four days after the young man 's interview with the Baron , there drew up in front of Jim 's house at noon a waggon laden with cases and packages , large and small . They were all addressed to ` Mr. Hayward , ' and they had come from the largest furnishing ware-houses in that part of England . Three-quarters of an hour were occupied in getting the cases to Jim 's rooms . The wary Jim did not show the amazement he felt at his patron 's munificence ; and presently the senior partner came into the passage , and wondered what was lumbering upstairs .