noon
Sometimes spectators of these duels faint -- and it does seem a very reasonable thing to do , too . Both parties to this fourth duel were badly hurt so much that the surgeon was at work upon them nearly or quite an hour -- a fact which is suggestive . But this waiting interval was not wasted in idleness by the assembled students . It was past noon , therefore they ordered their landlord , downstairs , to send up hot beefsteaks , chickens , and such things , and these they ate , sitting comfortable at the several tables , whilst they chatted , disputed and laughed . The door to the surgeon 's room stood open , meantime , but the cutting , sewing , splicing , and bandaging going on in there in plain view did not seem to disturb anyone 's appetite . I went in and saw the surgeon labor awhile , but could not enjoy ; it was much less trying to see the wounds given and received than to see them mended ; the stir and turmoil , and the music of the steel , were wanting here -- one 's nerves were wrung by this grisly spectacle , whilst the duel 's compensating pleasurable thrill was lacking . Finally the doctor finished , and the men who were to fight the closing battle of the day came forth .