noon
`` It 's good-bye to boiled shirts and stiff collars , '' said Roger , `` and I 'm not sorry for it . '' `` Nor am I , '' returned Dave . `` I 'll feel much more like working in this comfortable outfit . '' Almost before they knew it , it was noon , and presently they saw a number of men , some of them quite young , coming in to dinner . Through Frank Andrews they were introduced to all the others , and then placed at one of the tables in the mess hall where a helper of Jeff , the cook , served them with a meal which , if not exactly elegant , was certainly well-cooked and substantial . `` I want you two young men to stay around the offices for the rest of this week , '' announced Mr. Obray to them after the meal . `` That will give you a chance to familiarize yourselves with what we are doing in the way of constructions in this vicinity .