noon
As to the loss , Dick was rather pleased that it had occurred . It seemed to cut him off from the old vagabond life which he hoped never to resume . Henceforward he meant to press onward , and rise as high as possible . Although it was yet only noon , Dick did not go out again with his brush . He felt that it was time to retire from business . He would leave his share of the public patronage to other boys less fortunate than himself . That evening Dick and Fosdick had a long conversation .