noon
said Tom , grasping his hand . `` Let Ted , here , show you about the place and entertain you until it 's time to call again , '' suggested the doctor . So Tom went away with his companion , not to explore the Island , but to go to the telephone and have a long talk with his friends in the city , who were anxious to hear about the accident . Just before noon , an orderly came to Tom to say that Mrs. Hall said , `` Mr. Latimer could call , if he liked . '' Tom laughed at the message -- `` if he liked . '' As he entered the little sitting-room of the doctor 's house , Tom tiptoed as if he felt he had to tread softly . But Polly sat in an arm-chair by the window and saw him coming .