noon
But nothing could keep the chill from creeping over the wasted little form , -- not even the heat of the day , not even the mother 's agonized embrace . Then , suddenly , Annie looked at the clock . It was time to get the dinner . She laid the piteous tiny shape straight on the bed , threw a sheet over it , and went back to the weltering kitchen to cook for those men , who came at noon and who must be fed -- who must be fed . When they were all seated at the table , Jim among them , and she had served them , she said , standing at the head of the table , with her hands on her hips : -- `` I do n't suppose any of you have time to do anything about it ; but I thought you might like to know that the baby is dead . I would n't think of asking you to spare the horses , for I know they have to rest . But I thought , if you could make out on a cold supper , that I would go to the town for a coffin . ''