about midday
`` You stay quietly here , '' Zelie said to her husband , without the slightest remonstrance against his folly . `` I 'll manage the whole thing . We 'll keep the money , and Desire shall not fight a duel . '' Madame Minoret put on her bonnet and shawl and carried her son 's letter to Ursula , whom she found alone , as it was about midday . In spite of her assurance Zelie was discomfited by the cold look which the young girl gave her . But she took herself to task for her cowardice and assumed an easy air . `` Here , Mademoiselle Mirouet , do me the kindness to read that and tell me what you think of it , '' she cried , giving Ursula her son 's letter .