noon
Afterward Mr. Price stood for some time in the entry , where no one could see him , scratching his head and repeating his favorite exclamation , `` I want to know ! '' It has been ascertained that he omitted to pay his respects to the spinster on that day . Cyamon Johnson carried the story back to Coniston , where it had the effect of eliminating Mr. Price from local politics for some time to come . That same morning Chester Perkins was seen by many driving wildly about from farm to farm , supposedly haranguing his supporters to make a final stand against the tyrant , but by noon it was observed by those naturalists who were watching him that his activity had ceased . Chester arrived at dinner time at Joe Northcutt 's , whose land bordered on the piece of road which had caused so much trouble , and Joe and half a dozen others had been at work there all morning under the road agent whom Judge Parkinson had appointed . Now Mrs. Northcutt was Chester 's sister , a woman who in addition to other qualities possessed the only sense of humor in the family . She ushered the unsuspecting Chester into the kitchen , and there , seated beside Joe and sipping a saucer of very hot coffee , was Jethro Bass himself .