noon before
`` Ah ! my friend , '' she said , with a sad smile , `` I can but pray that thy words will be fulfilled ; if ever they are , it shall be a happy day for thee . '' At this moment the wooers came trooping in , filling the house with riot and uproar ; and there was an end of all quiet converse for that day . It was past noon before Odysseus and Eumæus set out for the town ; for Eumæus had conceived a great liking for his guest , and listened with delight to his wonderful tales of adventure . `` Come , '' he said at last , when Odysseus had finished one of his long stories . `` It is time to be going , though I would willingly have kept thee here . But my young lord has spoken and we must obey . ''