noon
Miss Grant , -- as I remembered her name was , -- handled the oars like an Oxford stroke and with that amazing ease , attained only after long practice , which makes the onlooker , viewing the finished article in operation , imagine that he can do it as well himself , if not a shade or so better , -- yes ! and standing on his head at that . For an hour , I worked in the store righting the wrongs that were visible everywhere , vowing to myself that never again would it be found in such a disgraceful condition ; not even if the three Camps should come down together and insist on immediate service . At high noon , I went over to Jake 's shack and found him preparing his usual clammy concoction . I broached the subject of the piano to him , putting it in such a way that I left him open to refuse to do the job if he felt so inclined . He did not speak for a minute or two , but I knew he was thinking hard . `` Well , -- I 'll be gol-darned , '' he said at last .