noon
To tempt Milly was out of the question ; yet he could n't see no particular reason why he should n't tempt William , or at any rate inquire into William 's attitude on the subject . And knowing the horseman exceeding well by now and perceiving that , strictly speaking , William could n't be considered in the least worthy of such a wife as Milly , Jonas went his way and done his dashing deed . On a day in early spring White was ploughing and Jonas Bird , who 'd gone to Four Ways Farm to measure up for a new pigs ' house , took care to come home along past the field where White was at work . And he knew that at noon William 's horses would have their nose-bags and the ploughman would be sitting in the hedge eating his dinner . And there he was , in a famous lew hedge facing the sun , where the childer find the first white violets of the year . So Jonas pitched beside the man and said they was well met . `` I 've been wanting to meet you all alone this longful time , '' said Jonas ; `` and I 'm very wishful to ask you a question , Bill .