noon
`` What time was it when he passed the post-office ? '' she asked . `` About eight o'clock . '' And now it was almost noon ! She spurred her pony on . They turned the corner at Thompson 's , galloping , and caught a glimpse of Mrs. Thompson in the doorway , with a look of wonder on her face . Two miles beyond they swerved without lessening their speed into a less-traveled road that presently was winding in and out among the timber , which opened at the end of another mile , and showed them Norton 's ranch in its sheltered valley among the foothills .