noon
She wished to know all about it , and how to join , and of course she was referred to Ruth . In this way the girl of the Red Mill and the new pupil became better acquainted , and Ruth found opportunity very soon to ask Nettie about the pearl necklace that her Aunt Rachel had lost some months before . Meanwhile , the girls , with their hand luggage , trooped down the long dock to the _ Lanawaxa 's _ boarding-plank . Heavy Stone turned suddenly in the hot sunshine -LRB- for it was a glowing noon -RRB- to find two of the smaller girls mincing along in her very footsteps . `` I say ! what are you two Infants following me so closely for ? '' she demanded .