noon
No thought of the frightened boy troubled his dreams , and of the little girl who had drawn back into the shadow of the trees , he knew nothing . * * * * * At the big yellow house on the Cliff , there was great excitement . Mrs. Harcourt was so nearly frantic that the best efforts of her friends failed to comfort her . Earlier in the day she had gaily laughed at Gwen 's absence at the noon meal , and if she was at all disturbed because of her sailing trip in the leaky cement tub , she did not show it . But that twilight should be hanging over the sea , and night fast approaching , and Gwen out of sight for the second time was really enough to frighten any woman , even if she were far less nervous than Mrs. Harcourt . A searching party was formed , not one of whom had the slightest idea where to look , when , just as the men were about to start out , a small boy appeared in the driveway ; a boy who seemed to wish to be unnoticed . `` Hello !