noon
Said Hallblithe , `` And when thou art come aland there , what wilt thou do ? '' `` Thou shalt see , my son , '' said the Long-hoary . `` It may be that thy good wishes shall be of avail to me . But now since all this may only be if I live through this night , and since my heart hath been warmed by the good mead , and thy fellowship , and whereas I am somewhat sleepy , and it is long past noon , go forth into the hall , and leave me to sleep , that I may be as sound as eld will let me to-morrow . And as for thee , folk , both men and women , shall presently come into the hall , and I deem not that any shall meddle with thee ; but if so be that any challenge thee , whatsoever may be his words , answer thou to him , ` THE HOUSE OF THE UNDYING , ' and there will be an end of it . Only look thou to it that no naked steel cometh out of thy scabbard . Go now , and if thou wilt , go out of doors ; yet art thou safer within doors and nigher unto me . ''