noon
Bele was dead and buried ; let his memory perish with him . He summoned from every nook of his being all the strength of the past , the present , and the future , and with a resolute hand lifted the latch of the door . Karen threw down her knitting and ran to meet him ; and when he had kissed her once he felt that the worst was over . Paul asked him about the house , and talked over his plans and probabilities , and after an interval he said : `` I saw Bele Trenby 's ship was ready for sea at the noon hour ; she will be miles away by this time . It is a good thing , for Mistress Sabiston may now come to reason . '' `` It will make no odds to us ; we shall not be the better for Bele 's absence . '' `` I think differently .