noon
Well , if I 'm not agoin ' to shoot anything , I guess I 'd better go home . '' With these last words , uttered half aloud , neighbor Hedden arose , and walked a few steps in the direction of his home . Presently he paused again , muttering to himself -- `` It 's blamed queer I have n't heard the youngsters coming down with the scow ; I certainly should have heard them if they 'd passed anywhere near -- guess I 'd best walk on a little way up stream . '' So saying , he turned , with a new anxiety upon his countenance , and moved with rapid strides toward the rivulet , that still ran rippling on , though the bright sparkles that lit its surface at noon had vanished . Indeed , by this time the sunshine was , fast vanishing , too , for heavy clouds were gathering overhead , while those in the west were gilded on their lower edge . Neighbor Hedden , now intent upon his new thoughts , hurried along the bank of the stream . There were pretty tassel-flowers and Jack-in-pulpits growing there , which at any other time he might have plucked , and carried home in his cap for Kitty ; but he did not heed them now .