noon
She is too proud to take money , and , ` fore Heaven , I have small doubts the old wizard could turn my hose into nobles an ' he had a mind for such gear . Wagons without horses , ships without sails , quotha ! '' As soon as Alwyn had departed , Madge appeared with the final refreshment , called `` the Wines , '' consisting of spiced hippocras and confections , of the former of which the Nevile partook in solemn silence . The next morning , when Marmaduke descended to the hall , Madge , accosting him on the threshold , informed him that Mistress Sibyll was unwell , and kept her chamber , and that Master Warner was never visible much before noon . He was , therefore , prayed to take his meal alone . `` Alone '' was a word peculiarly unwelcome to Marmaduke Nevile , who was an animal thoroughly social and gregarious . He managed , therefore , to detain the old servant , who , besides the liking a skilful leech naturally takes to a thriving patient , had enough of her sex about her to be pleased with a comely face and a frank , good-humoured voice .