noon
`` But my love , there is not a cake or an ounce of flour in the house . '' `` Women ! '' exclaimed Mrs Merton severely , `` we must rise to the occasion . I am hungry _ now _ , and it is not yet noon ; what will be our condition if we wait till night for our dinner ? '' This was a home-thrust . The conspirators shuddered and agreed to do the deed . Gertie , in virtue of her youth , was exempted from taking any active part , but an unaccountable fascination constrained her to follow and be a witness -- in short , an accomplice .