nearly noon before
`` Now , '' he said , echoing Steve 's advice , `` let 's get back to bed . Perhaps we can really sleep for a change . '' He did sleep . It was nearly noon before he awoke . He got up sleepily and found Scotty had just barely preceded him and was now taking a shower . Downstairs , things were apparently normal . Mrs. Brant and Mrs. Morrison were at work on lunch , but since an hour was too long to wait , Rick had a bowl of cereal and a glass of milk .