noon
`` I would go to the world 's end , '' I commenced hotly , but stopped abashed as she checked me with a gesture , though I fancied that she did not seem so displeased at my boldness as she might have been . Then she answered , smiling : `` I thought you were too staid and sensible for such speeches , and they hardly become you , because of course you do not mean it . It is nothing very serious . There are signs of bad weather , and my aunt is not strong , so , as Miss Lyle presses us , we shall stay here until to-morrow noon , and I want you to ride over and tell my father . He might grow uneasy about me -- and for some reason I feel uneasy about him , while , as he has been ailing lately , I should not like for him to venture across the prairie . It seems unfair to ask you , but you are young and strong ; and I should like you to meet him . He has his peculiarities , so our neighbors say , but he has ever been a most indulgent parent to me , and he can be a very firm friend .