noon
`` But the signs all show that it 's clearing off , '' observed Steve , exultantly , fixing his weather-sharp eye on the aforesaid patch of azure sky . `` You know the old saying is , ` Between eleven and two it 'll tell you what it 's going to do , ' so I 'm counting on our having a decent afternoon of it . '' His prediction proved to be correct . The clouds began to part , and at exactly noon , according to Jack 's watch , the sun looked out from behind the dark curtains that had hidden his genial face for so long a spell . `` It 'll take the whole afternoon for the woods to get decently dry again , '' Jack was saying just then ; `` so we 'll have to keep quiet for a little spell . But I 've got a scheme on foot that will take two of us away all of tomorrow , and perhaps the day afterwards , leaving one to guard the camp . And you two fellows must toss up to see who goes , and who stays . ''