noon
Of sin , as sin , they had no apparent knowledge , either by sight , by hearsay or by actual acquaintance . They sat stolidly in their little chairs , eyes roving to the windows , the blackboard , the pictures ; they clubbed together and fished a pin from a crack in the floor during one of Mary 's most thrilling appeals ; finally they appeared so bored by the whole proceeding that she felt a certain sense of embarrassment in the midst of her despair . She took them home herself at noon , apologised to the injured Mrs. Grubb for Rhoda 's unfortunate remarks , and told that lady , gently but firmly , that Lisa could not be moved until she was decidedly better . ` She was wandering about the streets searching for the twins from noon till long after dark , Mrs. Grubb -- there can be no doubt of it ; and she bears unmistakable signs of having suffered deeply . I have called in a physician , and we must all abide by his advice . ' ` That 's well enough for the present , ' agreed Mrs. Grubb reluctantly , ` but I can not continue to have my studies broken in upon by these excitements . I really can not .