noon before
`` He was a fine dog and was once the pet of my father , '' he said . `` Some day I may place a monument over his grave . '' They left the vicinity and continued on their trip around the lake , scanning every indentation of the shore for a possible glimpse of the _ Dora _ . There were many winding places , so it was noon before the task was half completed . `` This is growing to be a longer hunt than I anticipated , '' remarked Fred . `` I thought finding the houseboat would be dead easy . '' ' Lunch was had , and once again they went on the search , this time at a point where a bayou joined Lake Sico to a smaller lake .