noon
Yes , yes , Count Manuel , I will tell you a merry story of how a great while ago our common grandmother Eve was washing her children one day near Eden when God called to her . She hid away the children that she had not finished washing : and when the good God asked her if all her children were there , with their meek little heads against His knees , to say their prayers to Him , she answered , Yes . So God told her that what she had tried to hide from God should be hidden from men : and He took away the unwashed children , and made a place for them where everything stays young , and where there is neither good nor evil , because these children are unstained by human sin and unredeemed by Christ 's dear blood . '' The Count said , frowning : `` What drunken nonsense are you talking at broad noon ? It is not any foolish tatter of legend that I am requiring of you , my boy , but civil information as to what is to be encountered out yonder . '' `` All freedom and all delight , '' young Ruric told him wildly , `` and all horror and all rebellion . '' Then he talked for a while .