noon
How , then , was he amazed when , just as the sun was going down and he was watching its last rays lingering on the brow of the hill across the pond , the library door was opened wide and the room seemed suddenly filled with life and joy , as a graceful figure , with reddish , golden hair , bounded across the floor , and winding its arms around his neck gave him the hearty kiss which Katy had in her mind when she declined Aunt Betsy 's favorite vegetable . Morris Grant was not averse to being kissed , and yet the fact that Katy Lennox had kissed him in such a way awoke a chill of disappointment , for it said that to her he was the teacher still , the elder brother , whom , as a child , she had in her pretty way loaded with caresses . `` Oh , Cousin Morris ! '' she exclaimed , and , still holding his hand : `` Why did n't you come over at noon , you naughty , naughty boy ? But what a splendid-looking man you 've got to be , though ! and what do you think of me ? '' she added , blushing for the first time , as he held her off from him and looked into the sunny face .