noon
`` He ran Mr. Longlegs down here , ate his dinner and took to the trees . I 've had a hunch that there were marten in this neck of woods , but have n't had a chance to trap them yet . '' Later they put up a flock of spruce grouse , but it was out of season and the boys had too much respect for the spirit as well as the letter of the law to be even tempted to shoot . After the noon lunch Pat quickened the pace somewhat . The temperature had moderated rapidly and the sky was overcast . `` It 's a weather breeder , and we 're in for more snow , '' said Pat as he scanned the sky with some appearance of anxiety . `` I do n't like the looks of it .