noon
`` My dear father , '' said the Curate , touched by the anxiety in the Squire 's face , and sitting down by him with a sudden impulse , `` I have done nothing which either you or I need be ashamed of . I am grieved that you should think it necessary to examine me so closely . Wodehouse is a rascal , but I had taken charge of him ; and as long as it was possible to shield him , I felt bound to do so . I made an appeal to his honour , if he had any , and to his fears , which are more to be depended on , and gave him until noon to-day to consider it . Here is his note , which was given me in the vestry ; and now you know the whole business , and how it is that I postponed the conclusion till to-night . '' The Squire put on his spectacles with a tremulous hand to read the note which his son gave him . The room was very still while he read it , no sound interrupting him except an occasional sniff from Louisa , who was in a permanent state of whimpering , and , besides , had ceased to be interested in Frank 's affairs .