noon
So he took Wood-father by the hand , and close behind him came Wood-wise and Bow-may , and he cried out for way that he might speak with the Alderman , and men gave way to them , and he led those new-comers close up to the gate-seats of the Elders , and as he clove the press smiling and bright-eyed and happy , all gazed on him ; but the Sun-beam , who was sitting between Iron-face and the Westland Chapman , and who heretofore had been agaze with eyes beholding little , past whose ears the words went unheard , and whose mind wandered into thoughts of things unfashioned yet , when she beheld him close to her again , then , taken unawares , her eyes caressed him , and she turned as red as a rose , as she felt all the sweetness of desire go forth from her to meet him . So that , he perceiving it , his voice was the clearer and sweeter for the inward joy he felt , as he said : ` Alderman , meseemeth it is now time that we bring our Guests into the House of our Fathers ; for since they are in warlike array , and we are no longer living in peace , and I am now War-leader of the Dale , I deem it but meet that I should have the guesting of them . Moreover , when we are come into our House , I will bid thee look into thy treasury , that thou may ' st find therein somewhat which it may pleasure us to give to our Guests . ' Said Iron-face : ` Thou sayest well , son , and since the day is now worn past noon , and these folk are but just come from the Waste , therefore such as we have of meat and drink abideth them . And surely there is within our house a coffer which belongeth to thee and me ; and forsooth I know not why we keep the treasures hoarded therein , save that it be for this cause : that if we were to give to our friends that which we ourselves use and love , which would be of all things pleasant to us , if we gave them such goods , they would be worn and worsened by our use of them . For this reason , therefore , do we keep fair things which we use not , so that we may give them to our friends . ` Now , Guests , both of the Waste and the Westland , since here is no Gate-thing or meeting of the Dale-wardens , and we sit here but for our pleasure , let us go take our pleasure within doors for a while , if it seem good to you . '