noon
Her flaring anger had often caused her to say things that afterwards she deeply repented . `` Perhaps if I would go with you and call they would know that I did not mean all that I said , '' she ventured . But Dan was insistent that she , at least , prepare a lunch for herself . `` You must not start for the East without having a good hearty noon meal , '' he told her . As he spoke he was fastening an old pillow case to a pole . Leaving the house , he placed it at the top of the stairway . Then going to the brook , he began a series of halloos , but a hollow , distant echo was all that responded .