midday
She wondered why he was going back towards the church lane at that hour , for it was past one o'clock and time for her to be wending her own way back to the village . She gave him ample opportunity to clear the wood , however , before she moved . She was determined that she and Columbus would be more discreet next time . Mrs. Rickett 's midday meal was fixed for half-past-one . She was not looking forward to it with any great relish , for her prophetic soul warned her that it would not be of a very dainty order , but not for worlds would she have had the good woman know it . Besides , she had one cigarette left ! She got up when she judged it safe , and began to walk back .