noon
As was easily to be discerned by the distant shoutings , Ferry 's city guests had arrived , and had taken possession of the hayfield . From the kitchen window they could be seen , swarming about with rakes and pitchforks , like so many black spiders . There were many more of them than could possibly be used to any advantage , it seemed ; but as about half of the distant figures appeared to be standing on their heads it might be taken for granted that employment of some sort could be had for everybody . At noon the four girls captured Jake and his horses , filled the bottom of the hay-wagon with baskets and pails , and were borne up to the fields , where they were hailed with cheers . Under a tall elm , at one side of the scene of operations , they spread the lunch , and a motley crowd was presently encamped around it . Their entertainers thought they had never seen a happier lot of youngsters . They were of all sorts and sizes , but in one point they were alike : their ignorance of the country and their delight in this interesting and novel experience .