noon
before
Now let me see your books . '' The rest of the forenoon was devoted to study . Florence was not only an excellent scholar , but she had the art of imparting knowledge , and , what is very important , she was able in a few luminous words to explain difficulties and make clear what seemed to her pupil obscure . So the time slipped quickly and pleasantly away , and it was noon before either she or her pupil realized it . `` It ca n't be twelve , '' said Carrie , surprised . `` Yes , it is . We must defer further study till to-morrow . ''