noon
She had not been in Belham before since the death of Patricia 's mother , more than eight years ago , having been abroad most of the time . Now she found herself regretting this long absence . She had been missing a good deal -- she would like to have had some share in Patricia 's life all these years . `` I was beautifully early this morning , '' Patricia announced proudly at the table that noon . `` And you will be this afternoon ? '' grandmother asked . `` I 'm not so apt to be late afternoons , '' Patricia answered ; `` I suppose it 's just happened that way . ''