nearly noon
Fair and softly , my son , or more haste may be worse speed . Methought ye had somewhat to show me . '' Stephen 's youthful independence might chafe , but the habit of submission to authorities made him obediently follow the monk out at the back entrance of the inn , behind which lay the Minster yard , the grand western front rising in front of them , and the buildings of St. Swithun 's Abbey extending far to their right . The hour was nearly noon , and the space was deserted , except for an old woman sitting at the great western doorway with a basket of rosaries made of nuts and of snail shells , and a workman or two employed on the bishop 's new reredos . `` Now for thy tokens , '' said Father Shoveller . `` See my young foresters , ye be new to the world . Take an old man 's counsel , and never show , nor speak of such gear in an hostel .