noon
But the hunting season was far away , and the growing potatoes were grievously beset by weeds ; so he had cut and thrust with his sharp-bladed hoe from early morning till the sun burned the crest of the great high-shouldered hill which appeared to close in the valley like a rampart , off Grenoble way . As a matter of fact , the brawling stream which gave Brookville its name successfully skirted the hill by a narrow margin which likewise afforded space for the state road . But the young man was not considering either the geographical contours of the country at large or the refreshed and renovated potato field , with its serried ranks of low-growing plants , as he tramped heavily crosslots toward the house . At noon , when he came in to dinner , in response to the wideflung summons of the tin horn which hung by the back door , he had found the two women of his household in a pleasurable state of excitement . `` We 've got our share , Jim ! '' proclaimed Mrs. Dodge , a bright red spot glowing on either thin cheek . `` See !