noon
It seems it would not answer to carry it on . It would have been too much trouble for Mr Verloc . It would not have been convenient for his other business . What his business was he did not say ; but after his engagement to Winnie he took the trouble to get up before noon , and descending the basement stairs , make himself pleasant to Winnie 's mother in the breakfast-room downstairs where she had her motionless being . He stroked the cat , poked the fire , had his lunch served to him there . He left its slightly stuffy cosiness with evident reluctance , but , all the same , remained out till the night was far advanced . He never offered to take Winnie to theatres , as such a nice gentleman ought to have done .