midday
A moment later Mr. Miles , pink and twinkling , emerged from the background , as if buoyed up on his broad white gown , and briskly dominated the bowed heads in the front rows . He prayed energetically and briefly and then retired , and a fierce nod from Lambert Sollas warned the girls that they were to follow at once with `` Home , Sweet Home . '' It was a joy to Charity to sing : it seemed as though , for the first time , her secret rapture might burst from her and flash its defiance at the world . All the glow in her blood , the breath of the summer earth , the rustle of the forest , the fresh call of birds at sunrise , and the brooding midday languors , seemed to pass into her untrained voice , lifted and led by the sustaining chorus . And then suddenly the song was over , and after an uncertain pause , during which Miss Hatchard 's pearl-grey gloves started a furtive signalling down the hall , Mr. Royall , emerging in turn , ascended the steps of the stage and appeared behind the flower-wreathed desk . He passed close to Charity , and she noticed that his gravely set face wore the look of majesty that used to awe and fascinate her childhood . His frock-coat had been carefully brushed and ironed , and the ends of his narrow black tie were so nearly even that the tying must have cost him a protracted struggle .