noon
`` I 'll go right up , '' answered Dorothy . `` Now Frau Deichenberg , do not bother with Alfy at all . She can amuse herself till I finish . '' With that Dorothy ascended the stairs and Frau , after excusing herself by saying she must tend dinner as they always had dinner at noon -- Herr wanted it so -- left Alfy alone . Alfy roamed about the room and examined all kinds of curios , -- queer baskets , curious vases , old fans and precious paintings and etchings . So quickly did the time pass that she never noticed Dorothy as she came into the room . `` Well , Alfy , all ready to go home ? ''