noon
` Very nice , ' was the reply , ` but it 's too small to be of any use . ' There was no more talk of Egremont 's projects . Books and friends and the delights of the upland scenery gave matter enough for conversation . Not long after noon the sky began to cloud , and almost as soon as the party reached home again there was beginning of rain . They spent the evening in the drawing-room . Paula was persuaded to sing , which she did prettily , though still without her native vivacity . Again she retired early .