noon
I trimmed off the ragged edges as well as I could , and what did n't get in my eyes got down my neck and itched so terribly that I had to change my clothes . Then I got a nail-punch out of Dinky-Dunk 's tool-kit , and heated it over the lamp and gave a little more wave to that two-inch shock of stubble . It did n't look so bad then , and when I tried on Dinky-Dunk 's coat in front of the glass I saw that I would n't make such a bad-looking boy . But I waited until noon with my heart in my mouth , to see what Dinky-Dunk would say . What he really _ did _ say I ca n't write here , for there was a wicked swear-word mixed up in his ejaculation of startled wonder . Then he saw the tears in my eyes , I suppose , for he came running toward me with his arms out , and hugged me tight , and said I looked cute , and all he 'd have to do would be to get used to it . But all dinner time he kept looking at me as though I were a strange woman , and later I saw him standing in front of the dresser , stooping over that tragic pile of tangled yellow-brown snakes .