noon on Friday
`` Puir laddie ! '' said the Squire , `` if it wad mak him blither , I could stan ' a haill foolscap sheet o ' them . I 'm feard the city 's no ' agreein ' wi ' him . '' Before noon on Friday there came a hard rider to the Bridesdale gate , a special telegraph messenger from Collingwood , with a telegram for Mrs. Carruthers . She took it hastily from Timotheus , and , breaking the seal , read to the group gathered about her : `` If agreeable , Douglas and I will be with you by Saturday 's stage . Please answer by bearer . Eugene Coristine . ''