noon
That afternoon James Moore and Andrew would , he knew , be over at Grammoch-town , and , his work finished for the day , he was resolved to tackle Maggie and decide his fate . If she would have him -- well , he would go next morning and thank God for it , kneeling beside her in the tiny village church ; if not , he would leave the Grange and all its unhappiness behind , and straightway plunge out into the world . All through a week of stern work he had looked forward to this hard-won half-holiday . Therefore , when , as he was breaking off at noon , his father turned to him and said abruptly : `` David , ye 're to tak ' the Cheviot lot o'er to Grammoch-town at once , '' he answered shortly : `` Yo ' mun tak ' 'em yo ` sel ' , if yo ' wish 'em to go to-day . '' `` Na , '' the little man answered ; `` Wullie and me , we 're busy . Ye 're to tak ' 'em , I tell ye . '' `` I 'll not , '' David replied .