noon
`` Thou hast stayed finely ! '' said Rachel reprovingly . `` It is ever the way when two do an errand . And Madam Wetherill will take dinner with us , it is so near noon . The horses must be put out , and Penn and Jonas are down in the wood lot . Go to the kitchen and help Chloe . '' There were tears in Faith 's eyes , but she dared not even loiter , for Rachel 's hand was not light when it came with a box on the ear .