noons
`` I protest , ladies , I do not understand your allusions , '' he replied at last , with such an air of truth that , taking pity on him , we explained the matter laughingly . `` My poor father is falling into that sear and yellow leaf , his dotage , '' he said , `` that is evident ; what could possess him to maunder so ? I really believe he is in love with Miss Stanbury himself , and is wire-working merely to gain my consent . As to going to Georgia , I would as soon bury myself up to my neck in the sea-sand and bear the vertical sun for twenty sequent noons , as to dream of such a step . The old gentleman is a lunatic , and should be cared for without delay . I will get Dr. Parrish to see after him to-morrow . '' `` But I _ did _ hear you say you were going to Copenhagen with our minister , '' said George Gaston , who had swung himself softly up to our party on his crutches , unobserved by any one , while Claude was speaking , and now stood glaring upon him .