noon
`` You 're welcome to have every skulking hound in the county on me , '' Christopher replied , loosening Sam Murray 's restraining grasp . `` If I can settle you I reckon I can settle them ; but the day you open your lying mouth to me again I 'll shoot you down as I would a mad dog -- and wash my hands clean afterward ! '' He looked round for his harvest hat , picked it up from the floor where it had fallen , and walked slowly out of the room . In the broad noon outside he staggered an instant , dazzled by the glare . `` Had a drop too much , ai n't you , Mr. Christopher ? '' a voice inquired at his side , and , looking down , he saw Sol Peterkin sitting on a big wooden box just outside the store . `` Not too much to mind my own business , '' was his curt reply .