noon
Good , he would go there after lunch . And until that meal was ready , he strolled out to have a look at the sea . Five minutes ' walk brought him on to the shore of a rounded bay , sheltered by breakwaters against Atlantic storms ; above a sandy beach lay the little town , with grassy slopes falling softly to the tide on either hand . At noon , he ate and drank heroically , then , having had his way pointed out to him , set forth on the quest . He passed through the length of the town , crossed the little river Nivelle , where he paused for a moment on the bridge , to gaze at the panorama of mountains , all but to the summit clad in soft verdure , and presently turned into an inland road , which led him between pastures and fields of maize , gently upwards . On a height before him stood a house , which he believed to be that he sought ; he had written down its unrememberable Basque name , and inquiry of a peasant assured him that he was not mistaken . Having his goal in view , he stood to reflect .