noon
Is there any more news from the war ? Have your gringo generals been beaten again ? Tell me all you know ! '' She was evidently in the habit of being obeyed by those around her , and Ned felt decidedly obedient , but this was his first intimation that it was fully noon . Time had passed more rapidly than he had been aware of , for his mind had been too busy to take note of it . He was hungrily ready to obey , however , especially concerning the luncheon , and his first bit of news appeared to please his little hostess exceedingly . `` Not another ship is in , '' he told her , `` and I do n't believe there is going to be any war , anyhow , but I saw some of your soldiers .