noon
`` All right , '' he said wearily . `` Now what 're you going to do ? '' `` I 'm going to try to snatch a few hours ' sleep . There 's no reason why I should n't , now , with nothing to do before noon . '' `` Pleasant dreams , '' said Iff sourly , as Staff marched off to his bedroom . Then he sat down on the edge of the divan , hugging the dressing-gown round him , scowled vindictively at nothing and began thoughtfully to gnaw a bony knuckle . In the other room , his host was undressing with surprising speed .