noon
He wanted a new pair of boots , nice shiny ones , like city people wore , and not the rough clumsy kind such as his father had always bought . He pictured to himself the look of surprise and admiration upon Jess Randall 's face should she see him so well dressed . His Sunday vest , collar and trousers were new , so the coat and boots were all he needed . Grimsby was late in coming , and when he did at length arrive , it was almost noon . He carried a small grip in his hand , which he placed upon the deck , and went down into the cabin where Eben was preparing dinner . `` Hello , '' he accosted . `` Thought I was never coming , I s ` pose ? ''