noon
`` And where are thy generous gifts now bestowed ? '' asked Bradford practically . `` In the Common house . I bade Clarke go down the hill after our snack at noon , and take them all out of the boat 's cuddy and carry them up to goodwife Billington , who is a famous cook , of wild fowl in particular '' -- `` She hath had practice while her goodman was poach -- nay , then , I mean gamekeeper on my Lord the Marquis of Carrabas 's estates , '' put in Standish gravely , and Billington , who stood by , started , tried to look fierce , but ended with a craven laugh . `` Then Alden , '' suggested the Governor , `` thou hadst best tell the women at the elder 's house to send over their own vivers , or a portion of them , to the Common house , and we will all sup together . We have the captain 's crane and a brace of mallards , and a salted neat 's tongue , with some other matters , Master Jones , and can methinks well forget for one night that hunger and cold and danger are lying at the door . ' T is wise to be merry at times that we may better bear trouble at others . ''