noon
He assured them that he was not , and explained in a few words the origin of the encounter . But other concerns , it seemed , occupied the minds of the pair , and before he had finished Mallow was dragging him towards the door , crying , breathlessly : `` Gee , Governor ! You gave us a run . We 've been coming since noon . '' `` It was only by the grace of God , '' Stoner declared , `` that we heard you were out here and why you 'd come . We managed to get a phone call through to Jackson , but it was -- '' `` Jackson ? I 've been looking for him all the afternoon . ''