midday
Sir Oliver since the morning 's start had been indisposed to talk . From time to time he drew out his map and consulted it . The M'Lauchlin lads , on the other hand , seemed to be restless . During the halt for the midday meal they drew aside together and Ruth heard them conversing in eager whispers . Possibly this stirred some expectation in her , which passed into surmise , into certainty . Late in the afternoon she drew in the paddle she had been plying , laid it across the canoe , and called softly , -- `` Oliver ! '' He turned .