noon
`` Had I been by myself , I could have made my nag go twice as far . However , we shall see how much we can accomplish to-morrow . '' As on the previous day , they started at early dawn , that , as Mr Battiscombe said , `` they might run no risk of having to travel by night . '' They stopped at noon at a farm-house , with the owner of which Mr Battiscombe was well acquainted . The family were sitting down to dinner , and the travellers were warmly invited to enter and partake of the abundant though somewhat rough fare placed on the board . At one end of the table sat the sturdy farmer with his buxom wife and his sons and daughters ; at the other were the farm-servants , with wooden bowls and platters before them , their knives the only implements they possessed to help themselves to food . `` We are about to make holiday this afternoon Mr Battiscombe , '' said the farmer .