noon
`` Maybe , '' she replied doubtfully . She felt that so unusual an occasion called for her best dress and a stately waiting for the visitor , instead of going to school in her common frock just as on ordinary days when nothing happened . But she made no further objection , joining David on the front walk , and telling him that `` Uncle Maurice '' was actually coming . Returning at noon , Polly ran nearly all the way , so eager was she to see if her uncle 's car were in front of the house . To her disappointment the only vehicle in sight was a grocer 's team at Colonel Gresham 's side gate . `` I 'm afraid he 's gone , '' she lamented under her breath ; yet she hurried round to the kitchen door , and was relieved of her fear by hearing voices in the living-room , her mother 's and a deeper one that she did not know . Uncle Maurice looked a little as Polly had pictured , patterning him by his young son ; but she had not made sufficient allowance for years , and he was older and very much bigger than she had imagined he would be .