noon
Have you had supper -- if not there 's something in the pot that would n't taste bad if warmed up a bit ? '' That was the way Cuthbert spoke , for he was naturally genial and generous , ready to divide anything he had with one in distress ; only in this case he felt that it was along the line of casting pearls before swine , for that ugly little gleam in the corner of Stackpole 's shifty eye warned him against trusting the fellow too far . `` That sounds good , and I 'm goin ' ter take ye up on the proposition , young feller . I ai n't had ary bite since noon , an ' then 't was a snack only . Coffee -- why , I 've plumb forgot how she tastes , fact , it 's been so long since I had a cup . An ' stew , my , that smells prime . Say , it was a mighty lucky streak that made me come along the river here , headin ' fur the post .