noon
`` And by the way , Shorty ; those few after-dinner remarks that Sir Peter made about his report -- you could forget about hearing 'em , could n't you ? '' `` I can forget everything but the bucket , '' says I. `` Good , '' says Mr. Gordon . `` It -- it 's a private matter for a while . '' We took a hansom ride around town until the noon limited was ready to pull out . Never saw a car ride do a man so much good as that one back to New York seemed to do Mr. Gordon . He was as pleased with himself as if he was a red apple on the top branch . It was a couple of weeks , too , before I knew why .