noon
`` Oh , will you do that , Uncle Dunston ? '' cried Laura , brightening , for she , as well as all of the others , felt sorry for Mrs. Breen , who seemed so poor , old , and lonesome . `` Yes , I 'll do it . And now we had better be on our way , -- if we want to reach Oakdale by noon , '' went on Mr. Porter . The boys went out , followed by Jessie . Laura lingered , to whisper something in her uncle 's ear . Dunston Porter nodded , and then Laura joined the others .