noon
`` Shall we proceed with our Christmas program ? '' Agnes asked her brother ; `` the school is filled with people , and they are becoming impatient . '' `` No , let us wait , '' Fred replied ; `` our friends from Boston must be here any minute . They started early from Hartford this morning , and I expect them every moment , for it is almost noon . '' To his great joy , he soon heard the barking of dogs , and as the children ran forward toward the trail , they heard the hoofs of horses stamping the hard ground . `` They are coming , '' Matthew cried . In a short time the visitors were welcomed by the men , women , and children of the trading post .