noon
Then Wood walked down to the jury-box and took Eli 's hand . `` Just what I told my wife all through , '' he said . `` I knew you 'd hang out ! '' * * * * * Eli 's jury was excused for the rest of the day , and by noon he was in his own village , relieved , too , of his most pressing burden : for George Cahoon had met him on the road , and told him that he was not going to the West , after all , for the present , and should not need his money . But , as he turned the bend of the road and neared his house , he felt a rising fear that some disturbing rumor might have reached his wife about his action on the jury . And , to his distress and amazement , there she was , sitting in a chair at the door . `` Lizzie ! ''