noon
His dark eyes seemed to grow bigger and more luminous with each sentence , more intense in their piercing gaze . His sensitive mouth changed expression with every phase of the adventure -- danger , suspense , triumph . He scarcely breathed , he was listening so hard . Suddenly the whistle at the cold-storage plant began to blow for noon , and the old man rose stiffly , saying : `` I 'm a long way from home , I should have started back sooner . '' `` Oh , but you have n't finished the story ! '' cried the boy , in distress at this sudden ending . `` It _ could n't _ stop there . ''