Noon
Two rooms were connected on the same floor with the larger apartment . One of these served as the sleeping quarters for the parents when Mr. Linden was at home , and the other for Edith , while Fred occupied the loft , which had the rafters for a ceiling , and extended over half the lower floor . During the absence of the father , Edith and her mother used one room , while Fred had the other . Noon had passed when the son came home , and his substantial dinner of venison -- procured some days before by Fred himself -- brown bread , potatoes , butter and milk , were awaiting him . Taking his place at the table , he ate as only a rugged , growing boy of sixteen can eat . He made no further mention of the dangerous adventure that had just befallen him , but gave the full particulars of Terry Clark 's encounter with the Winnebago Indian , who stole the bell from the cow , and tried to have a little sport at the expense of the boy . It was an interesting story , and mother and daughter listened with rapt attention .