two hours
before noon
But Face-of-god lingered in that place a little , and for that little while the joy of his life was dulled and overworn ; and the days before his wandering on the mountain seemed to him free and careless and happy days that he could not but regret . He was ashamed , moreover , that this so unquenchable grief should come but of him , and the pleasure of his life , which he himself had found out for himself , and which was but such a little portion of the Earth and the deeds thereof . But presently his thought wandered from all this , and as he turned away from the sundial and went his ways through the garden , he called to mind his longing for the day of the spring market , when he should see the Sun-beam again and be cherished by the sweetness of her love . BUT now must he hasten , for the Gate-thing was to be holden two hours before noon ; so he betook him speedily to the Hall , and took his shield and did on a goodly helm and girt his sword to his side , for men must needs go to all folk-motes with their weapons and clad in war-gear . Thus he went forth to the Gate with many others , and there already were many folk assembled in the space aforesaid betwixt the Gate of the Burg and the sheer rocks on the face of which were the steps that led up to the ancient Tower on the height . The Alderman was sitting on the great stone by the Gate-side which was his appointed place , and beside him on the stone bench were the six Wardens of the Burg ; but of the six Wardens of the Dale there were but three , for the others had not yet heard tell of the battle or had got the summons to the Thing , since they had been about their business down the Dale . Face-of-god took his place silently amongst the neighbours , but men made way for him , so that he must needs stand in front , facing his father and the Wardens ; and there went up a murmur of expectation round about him , both because the word had gone about that he had a tale of new tidings to tell , and also because men deemed him their best and handiest man , though he was yet so young .