noon
Now , what have you got to tell me ? '' `` Well , the fact is , Mandy , I 've got two things on my mind . One of 'em is a secret and t ` other is n't . I meant to have told you yesterday ; but Mr. Sawyer kept me busy till noon , and the Deacon kept me busy all the afternoon , and I was too tired to come over last night . '' `` Well , '' said Mandy , `` tell me the secret first . If the other one has kept so long it wo n't spoil if it 's kept a little longer . '' Hiram had kept his eyes on the stove since taking his seat , and he then remarked , `` I am afraid that cider will spoil unless I get a drink of it pretty soon . ''