noon
He had seen and suffered enough in his time to realize how soul-murdering this environment might be to one who knew nothing better . He himself had had the memory of the old house in which he was born , and of low-voiced , gentle-mannered men and women ; he had had his fine traditions to which to hold fast . He reflected that he would have a great deal to make up for to Nancy Simms ! The noon whistle had blown . People had begun to come in , men whose first movement on entering was to peel off collars and coats . They barely glanced at the quiet , white-clad figure as they passed the open parlor door , but stampeded for the basement dining-room . Mr. Champneys could hear the scraping of chairs , the rattling of dishes , the hum of loud conversation ; then the steady clatter of knives and forks , and a dull , subdued murmur .