noon
There came over it a look which can not be described , but which made it for the moment truly beautiful -- a look hopeful , trustful , joyful . Allison was saying to herself : `` Oh , Willie ! if I might only dare to speak and bid him go to you . '' `` She wakened heavy-hearted To hear the driving rain , By noon the clouds had parted , And the sun shone out again . ` I 'd take it for a sign , ' she said , ` That I have not prayed in vain . ' '' That night while Mrs Beaton and her son sat by the fireside , exchanging a word now and then , but for the most part in silence , a knock came to the door . Allison had given herself no time to reconsider the determination to which she had come when she met John 's eyes in the kirk , being bent on abiding by it whatever might befall .