midday
I am coming again to see those darling dogs . Good-bye , dears , good-bye . '' She pressed a kiss on each very rough forehead , passed through the little postern door , heard the dogs whining behind her , did not dare to look back , and ran as fast as she could to the house . She was quite late for the midday dinner ; and the first person she met was Miss Symes , who came up to her in a state of great excitement . `` Why , Betty ! '' she said , `` where have you been ? We have all been terribly anxious about you . ''