noon
When Mr. Meech started out in the morning with a book under his arm and one sticking out of each pocket , Sandy would pull up on his elbow to watch proceedings . He loved to see fat Mrs. Meech pat the little man lovingly on the head and kiss him good-by ; he loved to see Martha walk with him to the gate and throw kisses after him until he turned the curve in the road . Martha was a pale , thin girl with two long , straight plaits and a long , straight dress . She went to school in the morning , and when she came home at noon her mother always hurried to meet her and kissed her on both cheeks . Sandy had got quite in the habit of watching for her at the side window where she came to study . He leaned forward now to see if she were there . `` I thought so ! ''