noon
An Alaskan missionary , home on a short leave , called periodically , and attempted to persuade Mary to return with him to his heathen . These suitors were disposed of summarily when they made their desires known ; but there were other visitors , part of the flotsam and jetsam of a great city , who appeared and disappeared mysteriously -- ships passing Mistress Mary in the night of sorrow , and , after some despairing , half-comprehended signal , vanishing into the shadows out of which they had come . Sometimes , indeed , inspired by the good cheer of the place , they departed , looking a little less gloomy ; sometimes , too , they grew into a kind of active if transitory relation with the busy little world , and became , for a time , a part of it . Mistress Mary went down to the street corner with the children one noon to see them safely over the crossing . There was generally a genial policeman who made it a part of his duty to stand guard there , and guide the reckless and stupid and bewildered ones among the youngsters over the difficulties that lay in their path . Sometimes he would devote himself exclusively to Atlantic and Pacific Simonson , who really desired death , though they were not spiritually fitted for it , and bent all their energies towards getting under trucks rather than away from them . Marm Lisa never approached the spot without a nervous trembling and a look of terror in her eyes , and before the advent of the helpful officer had always taken a twin by each arm , and the three had gone over thus as a solid body , no matter how strong the resistance .