noon
`` If I let things run , I 'd do as the lumber company did -- bust up . So you ca n't pay , nohow ? '' `` No , we ca n't pay , '' answered Earl . `` Then I 'll expect you to quit by to-morrow noon . '' Without waiting for another word , Caleb Norcross turned around his bony steed and urged him forward . In less than a minute he had disappeared in the direction whence he had come . With sinking hearts the boys watched him out of sight .