noon
Only one command was needed . It was August , and the dry grass and the soft earth were good enough for anybody . The three lads , each with an arm under his head , slept side by side . At noon they were still sleeping , and Colonel Winchester , as he was passing , looked at the three , but longest at Dick . His gaze was half affection , half protection , but it was not the boy alone whom he saw . He saw also his fair-haired young mother in that little town on the other side of the mountains . While Dick still slept , the minds of men were at work .