noon
`` Great day , sir ? And why ` of course ' ? '' inquired Dan , now as much interested as he was mystified . `` Why , my niece is to be married Monday at high noon . '' `` Married ? '' gasped Midshipman Dalzell , utterly astounded and discomfited by such unlooked-for news . `` Yes ; did n't you know Miss Preston was engaged to be married ? ''