noon
Gail 's face relaxed a little ; a great tenderness for these little orphan sisters swept through her heart , and she felt herself relenting . Then Faith 's tragic despair rose before her inner vision again , and she hardened her heart , drew out some stout cord from the cupboard drawer , and tied the humiliated duet into their rickety , worn-out old rockers , leaving them to their unhappy thoughts while she went back to her work upstairs . For a long time , it seemed to them , they sat jogging back and forth in the warm kitchen , mournfully dabbing their eyes and sniffing tearfully . Then Peace sat up , drew a deep , quivering breath , and said decisively , `` I 'm going to take that cake over to Mrs. Grinnell 's -- '' `` Gail said we had to stay here until noon , '' quavered Allee . `` She said we had to sit in these _ chairs _ till then , '' Peace corrected . `` Well , that 's the same thing . How can you go over to Mrs. Grinnell 's and stay in your chair ? ''