noon
But not a minute more did Alec allow . `` I 'm going to catch you fellows , '' he said , `` if I 've to take off my shirt to do it . '' Dick was quick to respond and again set off at full speed . But the grain was heavier than Alec had counted upon , and when the noon hour had arrived he estimated that the grain was not more than one-third down . A full hour and a half he allowed his men for rest , cunningly drawing them off from the crowd of threshers to a quiet place in the orchard where they could lie down and sleep , waking them when time was up that there should be no loss of a single precious moment . As they were going out to the field Alec suggested that instead of coming back for supper at five , according to the usual custom , they should have it brought to them in the field . `` It 's a long way up to the house , '' he explained , `` and the days are getting short . ''