noon
But , fortunately , I did not disgrace her , and the man looked at her as if he expected her to say `` Fourteenth Street . '' What would she say ? `` That depends upon what the time will be . Mr. Carter will call at noon , and will let you know . '' We bowed , and were gone . In an instant more she begged my pardon , almost with tears ; but I told her that if she also had been a `` Child of the Public , '' she could not more fitly have spoken to one of her father 's officers . I begged her to use me as her protector , and not to apologize again .