nearly noon
There was also a kind of admiration for the tall , handsome woman who in her perfect health and strength bore so easily the burden of her child . She held him firmly on her left arm , and his little hand clasped her neck behind , as with perfect grace she carried him , scarcely conscious of his weight , especially when he nestled his face against her own . She went directly to her father 's store . It was nearly noon when she arrived there , and it was empty . Only Snorro stood beside the great peat fire . He saw Margaret enter , and he placed a chair for her in the warmest corner . Then he said , `` Give me little Jan , and I will hold him for thee . ''