noon
`` Of course , if you go , so will I , '' replied Betty , swallowing a sharp retort . Bob was badgered enough without a contribution from her . `` Perhaps he will not miss us -- we can get back in time for supper . '' Immediately after dinner at noon Mr. Peabody sent Bob out to the hay loft to pitch down hay for the balers who were expected to come and set up their machine that night , ready for work the next day . He could not have selected a meaner job , for the hay loft was stifling in the heat of the midday sun which beat down on the roof of the barn , and there were only two tiny windows to supply air . Mr. Peabody himself was going up in the woods to mark trees for some needed fence rails . Bob departed with a significant backward glance at Betty , which sent her flying upstairs to get into a clean frock .