noon
`` Almost anything , '' suggested Cora . `` But we had best be specific , '' and she started in the direction of the mysterious sounds . Cecilia followed , as did Bess , while the others held off in evident fear . Although it was high noon , in the grove the heavy spruce and cedar trees darkened the place , and the farther the girls penetrated into the depths of the wood , the deeper did the shadows close in around them . Cora picked up a stout stick as she advanced . `` Get me one , '' begged Cecilia . `` We may encounter a bear . ''