midday
My misfortunes had made me wise . I did not feel discouraged by the humbleness of my employment , and I fulfilled my duties with exactitude , handling the duster and broom to the satisfaction of my employer . One of my duties was to pay a visit to M. d'Asterac . I went to the great alchemist on the last Sunday of November , after the midday dinner . It 's a long way from the Rue Saint Jacques to the Croix-des-Sablons , and the almanac does not lie when it announces that in November the days are short . `` When I arrived at the Roule it was quite dark , and a black haze covered the deserted road . And sorrowful were my thoughts in the darkness .