noon
exclaimed both of the other boys at once . But Oscar appealed to his father , who came striding by the edge of the field where they chatted together . Had he ever heard of such a thing ? `` Well , '' said Mr. Bryant , good-naturedly , `` I have heard of melons so thick in a patch , and so big around , that the sunshine could n't get to the ground except at high noon . How is that for a tall story ? '' The boys protested that that was only a tale of fancy . Could it be possible that anybody could raise melons so thickly together as Mr. Younkins had said he had seen them ?