noon
Diantha did not agree with her mother . Ever since the memorable occasion when , with the dressmaker 's connivance , she had startled Clematis by growing up between noon and supper-time , she had been one of Persis ' attendant satellites . But after the advent of the children she fairly haunted the establishment . She dropped in after breakfast to announce that Miss Perkins credited Algie with having the best head for arithmetic of any boy in her room and came again at noon to suggest taking Malcolm and Celia for a walk . But though she distributed her favors with creditable impartiality , she found the baby peculiarly fascinating . And rather to Persis ' surprise , the frail and fretful little creature , who looked askance even at the kindly Mary , fell under the spell of the girlish beauty and always had a smile for Diantha . `` Goodness , child , you do look grown up , '' Persis exclaimed abruptly one afternoon , as she glanced at the pair snuggled in the depths of the armchair , Diantha had flung her hat aside .