noon
In less than ten minutes they were standing around Willem , delighted at finding him in safety , and in the possession of a live giraffe . `` How long have you been here ? '' asked Hendrik , after the first moments of their joyful greeting had passed . `` Ever since noon , '' was Willem 's reply . `` And how much longer would you have stayed , had we not found you ? '' `` Until either this giraffe or I should have died , '' answered Willem . `` I should not have abandoned it before . ''