noon
It was clear that Sim and Ralph had met on this spot only a few hours ago , and had gone off together . `` What o'clock might it be when they left ? '' said Robbie . `` Nigh to noon -- maybe eleven or so . '' It was now two , and Ralph and Sim , riding good horses , must be many miles away . Robbie 's vexation was overpowering when he thought of the hours that he had wasted at Winander and of the old gossip at the street corner who had prompted him to the fruitless search . `` The feckless old ninny , '' he thought in his mute indignation ; `` when an old man comes to be an old woman it 's nothing but right that he should die , and have himself done with . ''