noon
`` What did that perfessor wade clear down to Marston through the storm for , and report her lost , if she ai n't lost ? '' `` He come down to see if she 'd took the train las ' night . That 's what he come for . She 'd went off somewheres before noon , and did n't show up no more . He did n't think she was lost , till Morton told him she had n't showed up to take no train . That 's when the perfessor got scared and phoned in . '' The driver grunted again , and called upon his leaders to shake a leg -- they 'd have walking enough and plenty when they hit the hill , he said .