noon
And finally , since he was out of reach of the nagging white , this blessing alone made him grateful . So he followed along , working yet not working , with a feeling of complete composure such as had not been his for many a day . Still his composure did not last . The novelty wore off toward noon , and he found himself morose and introspective again . Sounding the depths of his grievances , he at length took to thinking of the white corral beside the river . Not in many a day had he thought of the ranch . But he was recalling it now , not through affection , not because it was home to him , but because , brooding over his many discomforts in the open , he was suddenly remembering that his life had not always been this -- that he knew actual comfort , knew what it was to have his wants gratified .