noon
She saw his embarrassment , and said , quickly , `` I never have harbored a stranger ; but if Peter likes , he may take thee . '' Osgood thanked her so pleasantly that she determined he should stay . She asked him his name , his age , his place of residence , his business , and his intentions . Except in regard to the latter , his answer proved satisfactory ; and when Peter returned at noon from the distant shore with a load of sea-weed , she introduced Osgood as if he were an old acquaintance of whom Peter was in a state of lamentable ignorance . He pushed his hat on the back of his head , shook hands with Osgood , and said , `` Maria , will thee give me my dinner ? '' taking no further notice of Osgood till she had placed it on the table . It consisted of stewed beans , boiled beef , apple-pie , and cheese .