noon
On the occasion in question Biarne was in charge . Soon after the party had started , Hake , who was one of them , observed a female figure disappear round a copse near the shores of the lake . At that part they were about to strike off into the thick woods , so Hake went up to Biarne and asked leave to go along by the borders of the lake , saying that he could overtake the party again before they had reached the Willow Glen , a well-known rendezvous of the hunters and explorers of the colony . `` Go as thou wilt , Hake , '' replied Biarne ; `` only see to it that ye overtake us before noon , as I intend to go on a totally new path to-day . '' The youth left with a light step , and , on overtaking the female , found , as he had expected , that it was Bertha . `` You wander far from home to-day , '' he said , with a deferential salutation , for Hake 's bondage had not robbed him of his breeding . `` I love to wander , '' answered Bertha , blushing .