nearly noon
`` He said all there was to say , but he did n't run miles of speech doing it . He was a very forceful speaker , too ! '' `` People who speak briefly and to the point generally are , '' Arcot said . It was nearly noon that day before the theoretical discussion had been reduced to practical terms . They were ready to start work at once , but they had reason to work cheerfully now . Even through air they had found their ray would be able to reach thirty-five miles ! They would be well out of the danger zone while attacking the gigantic planes of Kaxor .