noon
And if of a Sunday morning he espied her in church , he strove might and main to acquit himself of his Kyrie and Sanctus in the style of a great singer , albeit his performance was liker to the braying of an ass : whereas , if he saw her not , he scarce exerted himself at all . However , he managed with such discretion that neither Bentivegna del Mazzo nor any of the neighbours wist aught of his love . And hoping thereby to ingratiate himself with Monna Belcolore , he from time to time would send her presents , now a clove of fresh garlic , the best in all the country-side , from his own garden , which he tilled with his own hands , and anon a basket of beans or a bunch of chives or shallots ; and , when he thought it might serve his turn , he would give her a sly glance , and follow it up with a little amorous mocking and mowing , which she , with rustic awkwardness , feigned not to understand , and ever maintained her reserve , so that Master Priest made no headway . Now it so befell that one day , when the priest at high noon was aimlessly gadding about the village , he encountered Bentivegna del Mazzo at the tail of a well laden ass ; and greeted him , asking him whither he was going . `` I ` faith , Sir , '' quoth Bentivegna , `` for sure 't is to town I go , having an affair or two to attend to there ; and I am taking these things to Ser Buonaccorri da Ginestreto , to get him to stand by me in I wot not what matter , whereof the justice o ' th ' coram has by his provoker served me with a pertrumpery summons to appear before him . '' Whereupon : -- '' 'T is well , my son , '' quoth the priest , overjoyed , `` my blessing go with thee : good luck to thee and a speedy return ; and harkye , shouldst thou see Lapuccio or Naldino , do not forget to tell them to send me those thongs for my flails . '' `` It shall be done , '' quoth Bentivegna , and jogged on towards Florence , while the priest , thinking that now was his time to hie him to Belcolore and try his fortune , put his best leg forward , and stayed not till he was at the house , which entering , he said : -- `` God be gracious to us !