noon
So Ruth rejoiced that it chanced to be the Sabbath , and while she passed her hand over his doublet , he stroked her silk dress . They had not much to say to each other , for their tongues always faltered in the presence of others . The doctor gave Ulrich many an admonitory word , his wife kissed him , and as a parting remembrance hung a small gold ring , with a glittering stone , about his neck , and old Rahel gave him a kerchief full of freshly-baked cakes to eat on his way . At noon on St. John 's day , Ulrich and his father stood before the gate of the monastery . Servants and mettled steeds were waiting there , and the porter , pointing to them , said : `` Count Frohlinger is within . '' Adam turned pale , pressed his son so convulsively to his breast that he groaned with pain , sent a laybrother to call Father Benedict , confided his child to him , and walked towards home with drooping head . Hitherto Ulrich had not known whether to enjoy or dread the thought of going to the monastery-school .