noon
He 'll be back before the mornin 's over . '' Nevertheless , sanguine as this prediction was , the hours wore on , and Janoah Eldridge failed to make his appearance . In the meantime Bob and Willie became so deeply engrossed in their new undertaking that they were oblivious to his absence . They worked feverishly until noon , devoured a hurried meal , and returned to the shop again , there to resume their labors . By supper time they had made quite an encouraging start on the model they required , their combined efforts having accomplished in a single day what it would have taken Willie many an hour to perfect . The inventor was jubilant . `` Little I dreamed when you came to the front door , Bob , what I was nettin ' ! ''