nearly noon
Several days passed , but they saw nothing of Gid . It was known that he was at home , for Jim Taylor had told the news of his return . At this neglect the Major was fretted , and one morning he sent word to Gid that he must come at once and give an account of himself . It was nearly noon when the old fellow arrived . Clumsily he dismounted from his horse , and meekly he made his way into the yard , tottering as he walked . He appeared to have lost flesh , and his skin was yellow with worry and with want of sleep . The Major came forward and they met and shook hands under a tree .