noon
He had no master to account to . He was his own employer , as long as he kept out of the clutches of the padrone . Phil continued to roam about the streets very much after the old fashion , playing here and there as he thought it expedient . By noon he had picked up seventy-five cents , and felt very well satisfied with his success . But if , as we are told , the hour that is darkest is just before day , it also happens sometimes that danger lies in wait for prosperity , and danger menaced our young hero , though he did not know it . To explain this , we must go back a little . When Pietro prepared to leave the lodging-house in the morning , the padrone called loudly to him .