noon
`` It puts us up against it for a water-man , though , '' said Allan , thoughtfully . `` So it does , '' admitted Harris , who up to that moment had not reflected that his hasty action in dismissing Travers would result in much more delay than anything else that had occurred . `` Well , we 'll have to get somebody else . We 'll manage till noon , and then you better ride over to Grant 's or Mormon 's . They 'll be able to lend a man or one of the boys for a day or two . '' It was significant that although Harris was planning a considerable venture with Riles , when he wanted a favour his thought instinctively turned to his other neighbours , Grant and Morrison . At noon Jim 's chair was vacant , and the family sat down to dinner amid a depressing silence .