noon
For a respectable cotton-spinner , as I told him , he has developed curious ways . ' `` You will see by-and-by , and so will that arrogant Colonel , '' said Aline . `` He has offended him bitterly , and I should n't like to be an enemy of Uncle Martin 's . '' There was an interlude of quietness , and then , when at last the winter showed signs of relaxing its iron grip , and the snow grew soft at noon , events commenced to follow fast upon one another . Jasper drove up from the railroad one afternoon bringing Lee with him , and then departed with , I thought , undue precipitancy , leaving myself and the old man alone , for I had increased the accommodation at Fairmead , and Aline discreetly withdrew . He had of course read the papers , though not until some time after the trial , and was good enough to say he never doubted my innocence . Still , I had to repeat all the unpleasant details , until at last Aline returned to prepare supper .