noon
`` I mean to Julia , '' Lady Agnes replied . `` Do n't you understand , you goose ? '' -- and Grace turned on her sister . The next morning brought the young man many letters and telegrams , and his coffee was placed beside him in his room , where he remained until noon answering these communications . When he came out he learned that his mother and sisters had left the house . This information was given him by Mrs. Gresham , whom he found dealing with her own voluminous budget at one of the tables in the library . She was a lady who received thirty letters a day , the subject-matter of which , as well as of her punctual answers in a hand that would have been `` ladylike '' in a manageress , was a puzzle to those who observed her .