About noon
I can not imagine a much greater misfortune for a man , not to say a clergyman , than not to know , or knowing , not to minister to any of the poor . And I did not feel that I knew in the least where I was until I had found out and conversed with almost the whole of mine . After I had done so , I began to think it better to return Mrs Oldcastle 's visit , though I felt greatly disinclined to encounter that tight-skinned nose again , and that mouth whose smile had no light in it , except when it responded to some nonsense of her grand-daughter 's . About noon , on a lovely autumn day , I set out for Oldcastle Hall . The keenness of the air had melted away with the heat of the sun , yet still the air was fresh and invigorating . Can any one tell me why it is that , when the earth is renewing her youth in the spring , man should feel feeble and low-spirited , and gaze with bowed head , though pleased heart , on the crocuses ; whereas , on the contrary , in the autumn , when nature is dying for the winter , he feels strong and hopeful , holds his head erect , and walks with a vigorous step , though the flaunting dahlias discourage him greatly ? I do not ask for the physical causes : those I might be able to find out for myself ; but I ask , Where is the rightness and fitness in the thing ?