noon
Before the Beach Club closed certain species of humanity left in a body , including a number of the unfledged , and one or two pretty opportunists . Portlaw went , also Malcourt . It required impudence , optimism , and executive ability for Malcourt to make his separate adieux and render impartial justice on each occasion . There was a girl at `` The Breakers '' who was rather apt to slop over , so that interview was timed for noon , when the sun dries up everything very quickly , including such by-products as tears . Then there was Miss Suydani to ride with at five o'clock on the beach , where the chain of destruction linked mullet and osprey and ended with the robber eagle -- and Malcourt -- if he chose . But here there were no tears for the westering sun to dry , only strangely quenched eyes , more green than blue , for Malcourt to study , furtively ; only the pale oval of a face to examine , curiously , and not too cynically ; and a mouth , somewhat colourless , to reassure without conviction -- also without self-conviction . This was all -- except a pair of slim , clinging hands to release when the time came , using discretion -- and some amiable firmness if required .