noon
It was about the middle of a March afternoon when Dr. Tolbridge , giving his horse and buggy into the charge of his stable boy , entered the warm hall of his house . His wife was delighted to see him ; he had not been at home since noon of the preceding day . `` Yes , '' said he , as he took off his gloves and overcoat , `` the Pardell boy is better , but I found him in a desperate condition . '' `` I knew that , '' said Mrs. Tolbridge , `` when you told me in your note that you would be obliged to stay with him all night . '' The doctor now walked into his study , changed his overcoat for a well-worn smoking-jacket , and seated himself in an easy chair before the fire .