noon
`` All right , '' agreed Phil . But later , conscience-stricken and ashamed , he could not bring himself to seek Rodney Grant and own up manfully to his silly behavior . And Grant , having begun to feel piqued , made no further advances . At noon that day Roy Hooker returned to school , bringing a written excuse from his mother . Having a chance to speak privately with Springer , he said : `` I hear Eliot has expressed his estimation of you and Rod Grant . '' Phil started . `` You can near lots of things , '' he retorted sharply .