noon
This new man sought to set at defiance the customs of the range . It was currently reported that he had refused to invite people to stay for dinner , and preferred that no one would ask for a night 's lodging , even in winter . This was the gossip of the camps for miles around , so Bill and some juniper of a pardner thought they would make a call on him and see how it was . They made it a point to reach his camp shortly after noon . They met the owner just coming out of the dug-out as they rode up . They exchanged the compliments of the hour , when the new man turned and locked the door of the dug-out with a padlock . Bill sparred around the main question , but finally asked if it was too late to get dinner , and was very politely informed that dinner was over .