noon
Hawking was in the ascendant now , and she was hurrying out to replenish her basket at St. John 's Market when a boy unceremoniously opened her door , and , thrusting a crumpled and dirty piece of paper into her hand , stood staring at her while she opened it . The letter was a scrawl from Will Scarlett . `` Dear Hetty , '' it ran , `` I may see a friend to-day . Come to me at noon , for I am in a sore taking . -- Your cousin Will . '' `` All right , ai n't it ? '' questioned the boy .