noon
the thin voice came , `` are you certain that this is but the sixth day of my son 's wedding ? '' `` It is but the sixth day , indeed , since your daughter 's sacrifice to a barbarian , if that is what you mean , '' returned Mata , with a belligerent flourish of her paper duster . `` That is what I meant , '' said the other , passively . `` Then the week is not to be finished until to-morrow at noon . Twenty-four hours of torture to me ! I suppose that the ingrates will count time to the last shadow ! Oh , Mata , Mata , you once were a faithful servant !