noon
she gasped , putting up her hand to her throat . `` If I 'm to be made a fool of , I 'd rather do it myself . I guess I can stand it , if you 'll let me alone ! '' When Bassett 's foreman rode into the vineyard at noon to talk with the strikers , he saw a wide brown hat moving slowly among the vine-rows . `` Who 's that ? '' he asked , pointing with his whip . `` Em Wickersham , '' said one of the group sullenly .