noon
When some fellâhîn from the village near at hand became spectators of his grief , he asked them to provide fresh milk , a lot of it , having heard that milk was salutary in the treatment of a feverish illness . The milk was brought to him , with scorn of payment . He gave a cupful to the Emîr , and repeated the dose at intervals thereafter , with ceaseless prayers to Allah for his lord 's recovery . It was the third hour after noon when he heard foreign voices and the tramp of several beasts before the tent . The priest of the Mission entered gravely with the Sitt Carûlîn . The Sitt Hilda followed , looking fresh and tempting despite the sorrow painted on her face . Iskender sprang to greet them , giving praise to Allah ; at such a time he had no thought of bygones ; but the ladies turned from him in disgust ; the Father of Ice bade him begone and hide his infamy .