noon
Grandma was at Godfrey Cradlebow 's , but Grandpa Keeler was within the Ark , and Madeline caressing her children with a new fondness . There were a few of the neighbors present ; they looked neither frightened nor curious , but ineffably exalted . `` We 'd got our work about done , '' said Captain Sartell , speaking mechanically and with little of his customary hesitation of manner . `` As near as I calk ` late , there wa 'n' t a half hour 's more work to do on the old craft , and it had got to be sometime arter noon , but says the boys , ` Let 's finish her off , now we 've got so near through , and not have to come back ag ` in . ' They was always a cheery set -- especially _ him _ -- when they took hold of a job , to put it through . `` We 'd seen them sailin ' fellows go by a while before ; and we knew Rollin was one of 'em . They was n't but two , as we could see , managin ' the craft ; and they was full sail , clippin ' it lively .