noon
The spell of Heart 's Desire was upon us all that Christmas Day . `` Now , '' said Curly , dropping easily into the somewhat vague position of host , when McKinney had finally placed his platter of screeching hot steaks upon the table . `` Now , then , grub pi-i-i-i-le ! '' He sang the summons loud and clear , as it has sounded on many a frosty morning or sultry noon in many a corner of the range . `` Set up , fellers , '' said Curly . `` It 's bridles off now , and cinches down , and the trusties next to the mirror . '' -LRB- By this speech Curly probably meant that the time was one of ease and safety , wherein one might place his six-shooter back of the bar , in sign that he was in search of no man , and that none was in search of him .