nearly noon
He was crying , for his sobs came disturbingly to my ears , and once I heard him descend into the cellar and there was a faint digging sound as he performed some outlandish task . Then I heard him in the hallway and on the stairs . I heard the splashing of water and the sound of scrubbing . I pounded on the door for him to let me out , but it was not until nearly noon that he finished his chores and finally opened my door . He was stooped and fatigued , and without bothering to return my amenities , he turned away and went to his study . ~ ~ ~ I went into the hallway and noticed , as I had surmised , that the floor showed signs of recent and vigorous cleaning . I walked down to his room and looked in , not surprized to notice that here , too , was the unmistakable evidence of scrubbing .