noon
But why we 're killin ' it -- ask the clerk -- or guess . It 's dead easy . '' Not given to guessing , she dropped her eyes again on the various groups beneath with Hugh and Ramsey central among them and did not even see that Hugh was answering the same riddle from Ramsey . `` Because if we keep these men aboard a few minutes longer , '' he was saying , `` there 'll be no way for them to reach Helena before noon to-morrow , when we 'll be -- '' '' ` Way beyond Memphis , '' said the river-wise Ramsey . `` Yes . '' `` And they ca n't send any troublesome word up the river that can overtake us , '' she ventured on , and he assented . `` And may I tell the Gilmores that 's as much for Phyllis as for them ? ''