noon
`` Well , it is rather , ai n't it ? '' said Drayton . And then he laughed , and they all laughed and shook hands , and were excellent good friends . Greta stayed with Mercy until noon that day , begging , entreating , and finally commanding her to lie quiet in bed , while she herself dressed and fed the child , and cooked and cleaned , in spite of the Laird Fisher 's protestations . When all was done , and the old charcoal-burner had gone out on the hills , Greta picked up the little fellow in her arms and went to Mercy 's room . Mercy was alert to every sound , and in an instant was sitting up in bed . Her face beamed , her parted lips smiled , her delicate fingers plucked nervously at the counterpane .