midday
`` I will tell you about that another time . I am pledged not to say anything just at present . '' They had to make one change of cars and then take a stage running to Oakdale , which was but a small village four miles from Riverport . When they arrived it was close on to midday . Fortunately for them , one of the storekeepers of the village knew Mamie Jackson 's married sister and also knew Mamie , and he told them where to go . It was a dilapidated cottage on the outskirts , surrounded by a garden filled mostly with weeds . `` Not very thrifty people , that is certain , '' was Mr. Bartlett 's comment .