noon
My brother and his friends are n't as small as they let on , boys , '' he added turning to the others . The Irish lads grinned sheepishly , and shyly accepted the candy and apples which the trio , with a complete change of heart pressed upon them . Chicken Little not to be outdone made them all laugh by offering her small fist , which was hopelessly gummed up with the taffy she had forgotten in the excitement . `` Well , Alice , '' said Dr. Morton , coming in one noon stamping and shaking the snow off his broad shoulders . `` I have discovered why you have n't heard from Gassett again . He is down with typhoid fever -- looks like a bad case . He wo n't be in a condition to start lawsuits for some weeks , so you may set your mind at rest for the present . ''