noon
No , thank you , I ca n't wait till you get a carriage for me . I 've urgent private affairs -- in the south -- at Marwar . '' He shambled out of the office and departed in the direction of the Deputy Commissioner 's house . That day at noon I had occasion to go down the blinding-hot Mall , and I saw a crooked man crawling along the white dust of the roadside , his hat in his hand , quavering dolorously after the fashion of street-singers at Home . There was not a soul in sight , and he was out of all possible earshot of the houses . And he sang through his nose , turning his head from right to left : `` The Son of Man goes forth to war , A golden crown to gain ; His blood-red banner streams afar -- Who follows in His train ? '' I waited to hear no more , but put the poor wretch into my carriage and drove him off to the nearest missionary for eventual transfer to the Asylum .