noon
dost not thou know , thou that knowest so much of the Lady of Abundance , that she it was who ordained this Ursula to be Ralph 's bedmate , when she herself should be gone from him , were she dead or alive , and that she also should be a Friend of the Well , so that he might not lack a fellow his life long ? But this thou sayest , not knowing the mind of our Lady , and how she loved him in her inmost heart . '' Roger hung his head and spake not for a while , and then he said : `` Well , wise man , I have said that I will go on this adventure , and I will smooth my tongue for this while at least , and for what may come hereafter , let it be . And now we were best get to horse ; for what with meat and minstrelsy , we have worn away the day till it wants but a little of noon . Go tell thy lord that I am ready . Farewell peace , and welcome war and grudging ! '' So the Sage went within , and came out with the others , and they mounted their horses anon , and Roger went ahead on foot , and led them through the thicket-ways without fumbling ; and they lay down that night on the farther side of the Swelling Flood .