noon
So they all went to work piling up the sand . It was hard work , and it took a long time before the loose sand could be piled up high enough for Anne and Amanda to crouch down behind . `` I 'm dreadful hungry , '' said Amanda , after they had worked steadily for some time ; `` let 's rest and eat some mussels and beach-plums , '' and Amos and Anne were both quite ready to stop work . `` It must be past noon now , '' said Amos , looking at the sun , `` and there has n't a boat come in sight . '' Anne had begun to look very serious . `` My Aunt Martha may think that I have run away , '' she said , as they sat leaning back against the piles of warm sand . `` No , she wo n't , '' Amos assured her , `` for they 'll find out right off that Amanda and I are gone , and father 's dory , and it wo n't take father or Captain Enos long to guess what 's happened ; only they 'll think that we have been carried out to sea . ''