midday
The men remained where they were . Jan wished they would go sit where he could not see them . He knew that Lars had harboured a grudge against him since that ill-fated day in the forest and had hinted more than once that Jan was getting old and would not be worth his day 's wage much longer . Katrina brought on the midday meal , which was hurriedly eaten . Lars Gunnarson and the clerk still sat on the fence , laughing and chatting . They reminded Jan of a pair of hawks biding their time to swoop down upon helpless prey . Finally the men got down off the fence , opened the gate , and went toward the house .