noon
When he returned below to put his sextant away he found that the two men had retreated out into the lobby . Through the open door he had a view of the captain lying easy against the pillows . He had `` passed away '' while Mr. Burns was taking this observation . As near noon as possible . He had hardly changed his position . Mr. Burns sighed , glanced at me inquisitively , as much as to say , `` Are n't you going yet ? '' and then turned his thoughts from his new captain back to the old , who , being dead , had no authority , was not in anybody 's way , and was much easier to deal with .