about noon
This little girl soon came flying out with her contribution ; then there were more -- quite a little procession filed finally down the road to Jenny Brown 's house . The terrible possibilities of the case never occurred to them . The idea never entered their heads that little , innocent , trustful Jenny might never come home to see that Christmas-tree which they set up in her poor home . It was with no surprise whatever that they saw , about noon , Mr. Munroe 's sleigh , containing Jenny and her mother and Mrs. Munroe , drive up to the door . Afterwards they heard how a wood-cutter had found Jenny crying , over on the east side of the mountain , at sunset , and had taken her home with him . He lived five miles from the village , and was an old man , not able to walk so far that night to tell them of her safety . His wife had been very good to the child .