nearly noon
`` But I thought -- '' `` Did you think me a fixture in German wilds ? Well , I am not . It 's a long , long story ; but I have come over now for good , to be a true American citizen all the rest of my days . The steamer arrived last night ; but I could n't get off until nearly noon . Then I went to a hotel and had some dinner , and came up to see Mrs. Jasper . She sent me here . Where are the others ? ''