noon
But it was hard to joke about the matter . It looked altogether too serious . The wind continued to blow steadily -- a little harder , indeed , as time passed ; but the sun grew hotter . It came noon , and they knew that those at Green Knoll Camp had long since expected them back . Finally a figure appeared upon the path far down the hill . They recognized Tubby Blaisdell trudging painfully up the slope in the hot sun , evidently an unwilling messenger from Mrs. Havel and Professor Skillings . They began to shout to Tubby , although they knew very well it was useless .