noon
`` It was kind of hard on the boy to make him go to bed without his supper , '' remarked the housekeeper , as she gathered up the things on the floor . `` It 's his own fault , '' snorted the farmer . `` He 's got to be took down , he has ! '' `` He has n't had a mouthful since noon , and we had a light dinner , too . '' `` I ca n't help that , Mrs. Felton . I 'm goin ' to teach him a lesson . '' `` Nat is a high-spirited boy , Mr. Balberry .