noon
`` We will eat soon , for I confess to having an appetite on my own account . '' Deciding to eat , at least on this first day of the tramp , a lunch of their own providing , rather than go to some restaurant , country hotel , or stop at a chance farm house , the girls had brought with them packages of food , and the alcohol stove for a cup of tea , or some chocolate . `` This looks to be a perfect place for our picnic , '' said Betty , as , on passing a farm , they saw the plow-horses unhitched and led under a tree to partake of their hay and oats . `` It must be noon by that sign , '' went on the Little Captain , confirming her guess by a glance at her watch . `` It is , '' she said . `` So we 'll eat here , '' and she indicated a little grassy knoll under a great oak tree at the side of the road . `` There 's the most beautiful spring of water here , too , '' went on Grace .