noon
A moment later she saw him driving a tall black horse toward the lake at a speed that brought her the first sigh of relief she had known , and made her put up her hand suddenly to her forehead . `` Good gracious me ! '' she exclaimed under her breath -- `` if I did n't forget to take down my crimps ! '' Two or three times as she drove home through the warm odors of the harvest noon her anxiety was invaded by the recollection of this man , to whose promptness and decision her own vigorous nature responded with a strong sense of liking ; and this liking did not suffer any abatement when he came into her father 's sick-room with the doctor , and the invalid looked at the stranger , and then at her , with a faint , troubled smile . `` Do n't try to speak , Mr. Starkweather , '' said the visitor cheerfully ; `` I 've made your daughter 's acquaintance already . We want you to give your entire attention to getting well , and let us do the talking . '' He went out of the room , and strolled about the place while the doctor made his call , and when it was over he went around to the kitchen , where Idy was kindling a fire , and said : -- `` Doctor Patterson thinks your father will be all right in a day or so , Miss Starkweather .