midday
He nodded responses mechanically , but did not stop . It was as if he feared to interrupt the process of lifting his reluctant feet and propelling them forward , lest they should wheel and scuttle off in the opposite direction . Deliberate as his progress was , the diminishing number of store-fronts along the sidewalk , and the increasing proportion of picket-fences enclosing domestic lawns , forced upon Theron 's attention the fact that he was nearing home . It was a trifle past the hour for his midday meal . He was not in the least hungry ; still less did he feel any desire just now to sit about in that library living-room of his . Why should he go home at all ? There was no reason whatever -- save that Alice would be expecting him .