noon
He took the colonel 's passport and summoned a waiter , who went bowing before them up a staircase more or less grandiose , and led them to a pleasant chamber , whither he sent directly a woman servant . She bade them a hearty good morning in her tongue , and , kneeling down before the tall porcelain stove , kindled from her apronful of blocks and sticks a fire that soon penetrated the travellers with a rich comfort . It was of course too early yet to think of breakfast , but it was fortunately not too late to think of sleep . They were both very tired , and it was almost noon when they woke . The colonel had the fire rekindled , and he ordered breakfast to be served them in their room . `` Beefsteak and coffee -- here ! '' he said , pointing to the table ; and as he made Mrs. Kenton snug near the stove he expatiated in her own terms upon the perfect loveliness of the whole affair , and the touch of nature that made coffee and beefsteak the same in every language .