noon
`` I 'll give you until noon , Daddy , '' said the girl in a voice which carried a more strongly defined tone of authority than her father 's soft drawl , `` and then I shall come into that room , if I have to use an axe , and bring you out -- do you understand ? '' Professor Maxon smiled wanly . He knew that his daughter was equal to her threat . `` All right , sweetheart , I 'll be through by noon for sure -- by noon for sure . Run along and play now , like a good little girl . '' Virginia Maxon shrugged her shapely shoulders and shook her head hopelessly at the forbidding panels of the door . `` My dolls are all dressed for the day , '' she cried , `` and I 'm tired of making mud pies -- I want you to come out and play with me . ''