noon
She wore a widow 's cap -- a very small and natty one ; and a large white apron covered the front of her widow 's gown from bosom to ankles . `` I -- I 'm sorry to call so late , ma'am . '' `` Late ? Why , it ca n't be past noon , scarcely ... . We do n't have dinner till one o'clock . You 'll excuse my not shaking hands , but I never _ could _ paint without messing my fingers . '' `` But I had n't an idea , ma'am -- '' `` Eh ? ''