noon
`` If we could only get that missing lumberman to testify , '' said Grace , `` it would end it all in papa 's favor . But I suppose that is too much to hope for . '' They were moving swiftly along now , and were a little more than a quarter of the way to the lumber camp . They intended to stop at noon , which would see them three-quarters there , and eat the lunch they had brought along . It did seem that Alice and the young fellow with her invited the _ Spider _ to a race , but Allen knew better than to accept . The other boat was a light craft , built purposely for racing , whereas the larger boat was not . Gradually the boat containing the two occupants drew away up the river .