noon
`` We may be overheard . Call father to the telephone , so I can speak in code . Then I 'll explain . '' Fortunately , although it was past noon , Mr. Temple was at hand . So anxious was he about the boys that he had been unable to sleep during the night . All morning , despite the belief that it was folly to expect to hear from the lads so early , he had stayed at the radio plant . Now , when he heard his son 's voice , there was heartfelt thanksgiving in his reply .