noon
`` Beautiful scenery , my dear , was n't it ? '' -RRB- Young Pedgift , on whom the arrangements for exploring the Broads devolved , hustled about , giving his orders to the boatman . Major Milroy , placid and patient , sat apart on an overturned punt , and privately looked at his watch . Was it past noon already ? More than an hour past . For the first time , for many a long year , the famous clock at home had struck in an empty workshop . Time had lifted his wonderful scythe , and the corporal and his men had relieved guard , with no master 's eye to watch their performances , with no master 's hand to encourage them to do their best .