noon
With such a problem vexing my curious brain , what sleep could a philosopher get ? When Batata saw me making preparations for departure , he warmly pressed me to stay to breakfast . I consented at once , for , after all , the more leisurely one does a thing the sooner will it be accomplished -- especially in the Banda Orientál . One breakfasts here at noon , so that I had plenty of time to see , and renew my pleasure in seeing , pretty Margarita . In the course of the morning we had a visitor ; a traveller who arrived on a tired horse , and who slightly knew my host Batata , having , I was told , called at the house on former occasions . Marcos Marcó was his name ; a tall , sallow-faced individual about fifty years old , slightly grey , very dirty , and wearing threadbare gaucho garments . He had a slouching gait and manner , and a patient , waiting , hungry animal expression of face .