noon
They wo n't tell on me . I never tell on them . '' The next morning early , Charlotte arrived in Orchard Street with a face full of grave importance , and obtained Mrs. Caldwell 's consent to take Beth back with her ; but instead of having to go home to spend the day alone waiting for Beth , as she had expected , she was sent out some distance along the cliffs to a high hill , which she climbed by Beth 's direction . She was to hide herself among the fir-trees at the top , and watch for a solitary rider on a big brown horse , who would pass on the road below between noon and sunset , if all went well , going towards the headland . '' _ I _ shall be that rider , '' Beth said solemnly . `` And the moment you see me , take this blue missive , and place it on the Flat Rock , with a stone on it to keep it from blowing away ; then go home . If I do not appear before sunset , here is a red missive to place on the Flat Rock instead of the blue one , which must then be destroyed by fire .