noon
Norton Allan stepped eagerly forward , raised his cap , and holding out his hand shyly , said , `` May I have the pleasure of shaking hands with you , North Eagle ? '' The Indian boy extended his own slim brown fingers , a quick smile swept across his face , and he said , '' _ You _ not speak loud . '' Then they all laughed together , and the Professor , who had been a silent but absorbed onlooker , was soon chatting away with the two boys , as if he , too , were but sixteen years old , with all the world before him . That was a memorable day for Norton , for , of course , he met Chief Sleeping Thunder , who , however , could speak but little English ; but so well did the friendship progress that at noon North Eagle approached the Professor with the request that Norton should ride with him over to his father 's range , sleep in their tepee that night , and return the following morning before the train pulled out . At North Eagle 's shoulder stood Sleeping Thunder , nodding assent to all his son said . Of course , Mrs. Allan was for politely refusing the invitation . She would not for a moment listen to such an idea .