noon
He had arranged too with a view to the rest at midday . Our way lies , he said , through the large shallow valley , and that is why I started at six . It is about four hours hence , so we shall be through it well before noon . But why must we pass through it before noon ? Joseph asked . Because , the captain answered , the rocks on either side are heated after noon like the walls of an oven , and man and beast choke in it . But once we get out of the valley , we shall have pleasant country .