noon
He had made frequent visits to his mother there in the summer time . For , notwithstanding his forbidding attitude , Colonel Butler recognized the instinct that drew mother and child together , and never sought to deny it proper expression . But it was hard traveling on the road to-day , especially with a burden to carry , and Pen was glad when Henry Cobb , a neighbor of Grandpa Walker , came along with horse and sleigh and invited him to ride . It was just after noon when he reached his grandfather 's house , and the members of the family were at dinner . They looked up in astonishment when he entered . `` Why , Pen ! '' exclaimed his mother , `` whatever brings you here to-day ? ''