about noon
She longed for Amarillo and what the old Captain called `` the frills of society '' ; but could she give up the ranch for them ? `` I reckon I want to keep my cake and eat it , too , '' she sighed . `` And that , daddy would say , ` is plumb impossible ! ' '' Frances arrived at home about noon . The last few miles she bestrode Molly , for that intelligent creature had allowed herself to be caught . It was too late to go on the errand to Cottonwood Bottom before luncheon . Silent Sam Harding met her at the corral gate .