noon
Accordingly , for several weeks , the people of Ellerton were kept in a constant state of anxiety , watching , wondering and guessing , especially Miss Olivia Macey , who kept a small store in the outskirts of the village , and whose fertile imagination supplied whatever her neighbors lacked in actual knowledge of the proceedings at `` Greystone Hall , '' as Judge Thornton called his place of residence . At last , every thing was completed and the day appointed for the arrival of the Judge , who , disliking confusion , had never once been near his house , but , after a few general directions , had left the entire arrangement of the building and grounds to the management of one whom he knew to be a connoisseur in such matters . As was very natural , a great deal of curiosity was felt concerning the arrival of the distinguished stranger , and as his mother , a proud , stately woman , was to accompany him , Miss Olivia Macey , who boasted of having once been a schoolmate of the haughty lady , resolved upon meeting them at the depot , thinking she should thereby show them proper respect . `` So , Maggie , '' said she to her niece , a dark-haired , white-browed girl of fifteen , who , at noon , came bounding in from school , `` so Maggie , you must watch the store , for there 's no knowing how long I shall be gone . Miss Thornton may ask me home with her , and it would not be polite to refuse . '' For an instant Maggie 's dark brown eyes danced with mischief as she thought how improbable it was that the lofty Mrs. Thornton would seek to renew her acquaintance with one in Miss Macey 's humble position , but the next moment they filled with tears , and she said , `` Oh , aunt , _ must _ I stay from school again ? It is the third time within a week .