noon
` I am a soldier , ' answered the dusty man , ` but , under the circumstances , ' -- regarding very closely the trousers of Almia 's two companions , -- ` I am very glad you do not want to know to which side I belong . The facts of the case are these : I am an Exceptional Pedestrian . I am also a very earnest student of social aspects considered in their relation to topography . Yesterday , when my army halted at noon , I set out to make some investigations in connection with my favorite research , and when I returned , much later than I expected , my army had gone on , and I have not yet been able to come up to it , although I have walked a great many miles . ' '' ` I should say , ' remarked the soldier with the black hair , ` that you are a deserter . ' ` No , ' replied the Exceptional Pedestrian , ` I did not desert my army ; it deserted me . And now I wish to say that I have become very much interested in you all , and , if there is no objection , I should like to join your company for the present . '