noon
Chicken Little had begun to fuss about restlessly , shifting from one cramped position to another . She did not answer Katy 's question right away . `` I guess it 's most noon , '' she finally evaded diplomatically . `` Mother said I must be home by noon . '' But Katy saw through this flimsy excuse . `` Oh , you 're backing out ! ` Tis n't anywhere near noon -- you 're just making an excuse to go home .