noon
And she was able to keep the fire going . But the hours crept slowly , and she was so consumed with impatience that all her usual amusements lost their savour . Not even the rare delight of being allowed to cut pictures out of some old illustrated papers could divert her mind from its dazzling anticipations . But before Christmas could come , must come her father ; and from noon onward she would keep running to the door every few minutes to peer expectantly down the trail . She was certain that , at the worst , he could not by any possibility be delayed beyond supper-time , for he was needed to get supper -- or , rather , as Lidey expressed it , to help her get supper for mother ! Lidey was not hungry , to be sure , but she was getting mortally tired of unmitigated bread and butter and molasses . Supper-time , however , came and went , and no sign of Dave 's return .