noon
You 'd think that death was right beside him , would n't you ? -- ready to tap him on the shoulder and say , ` Fall , fall , old leaf ! But it is n't so ; death is on the battlefield looking for young men . Listen to his stick -- tap , tap , tap , tap , tap -- '' Christianna rose , looked at the clock , which was about to strike noon , left the room and returned with a glass of milk . `` Mrs. Cleave said you was to drink this -- Yes , Miss Miriam , do ! -- There now ! Do n't you want to lie down ? ''