noon
Then there was a shuffling of feet as of a crowd going away . Sir Ferdinando having sat down , got up again and shook me warmly by the hand . I returned his greeting with my pleasantest smile ; and then , while the people were moving , I spoke to them two or three words . I told them that I should start to-morrow at noon for England , under a promise made by me to their new governor , and that I purposed to explain to them , before I went , under what circumstances I had given that promise , and what it was that I intended to do when I should reach England . Would they meet me there , in that hall , at eight o'clock that evening , and hear the last words which I should have to address to them ? Then the hall was filled with a mighty shout , and there arose a great fury of exclamation . There was a waving of handkerchiefs , and a holding up of hats , and all those signs of enthusiasm which are wont to greet the popular man of the hour .