midday
From there she went to the door at the back , and to all the windows , and closed and secured them as far as possible . Then she took down the old elephant-gun from the wall , and finding Piet 's pouch and the bullets , she loaded it and laid it on the table . All the time the Kafirs made no sign , and from the keyhole she saw them still sitting in silence , watching the house . `` When midday came she made some food ready to eat , and then came a bang at the door . '' ` What is it you want ? ' she cried , without opening . '' ` Liquor ! '