noon
There was so great an alteration in him , in fact , that Bess softened toward him visibly . She secretly bestowed the best morsels upon him , and even went so far as to attempt conversation . `` Let yo 're work go a bit , '' she advised : `` yo 're noan fit fur it . '' But he did not give up until the third week of illness , and then one warm day at noon , Bess , at work in her kitchen among dishes and pans , was startled from her labors by his appearing at the door and staggering toward her . `` What 's up wi ' yo ' ? '' she demanded . `` Yo ' look loike death . ''