noon
`` Now you just watch me ` find a way or make it , ' '' she said . `` I am ` taking the wings of morning , ' observe my flight ! See me cut curves and circles and sail and soar around all the other Bates girls the Lord ever made , one named Nancy Ellen in particular . It must be far past noon , and I 've much to do to get ready . I fly ! '' Kate walked back to the highway , but instead of going on she turned toward home . When she reached the gate she saw Nancy Ellen , dressed her prettiest , sitting beneath a cherry tree reading a book , in very plain view from the road .