noon
A charming manner is a wonderful magician in the way of scattering sunshine . The boarders , observing the little scene from the side porch , hoped that Cynthia 's outing was to be prolonged . One and all liked the handy , obliging little maiden who had so much womanly work to do and so scanty a time for childish play . When , however , at noon , Mr. Mason came home , holding his head up proudly and looking five years younger , and told how brave Cynthia had been ; when neighbor after neighbor , as the news flew over the place , stopped to congratulate the Masons on the possession of such a little heroine -- Miss Mason was at first puzzled , then triumphant . `` You see what there is in bringing up , '' she averred . `` I 've never spoiled Cynthy : I 've trained her to be thoughtful and quick , and this is the result . '' When Mrs. Dean first proposed that Cynthia should spend the rest of the summer at Fernbrake , sharing the lessons and play with her own girls , Aunt Kate opposed the idea .