midday
Now he knew that his special work had been put ready to his hand -- the deliverance of these two little ones . And although the call to action did not sound until his sands of life were well-nigh run , the answer `` Ready ! '' rang none the less cheerily and promptly . * * * * * At midday , which Bambo was able to guess pretty nearly by the sun , the fugitives halted to have their dinner . Joan said it was not dinner at all , only breakfast over again ; for it consisted of some more cold rabbit , a slice of bread each , with a drink of water . And very good it tasted to these hungry little people , who many a time at Firgrove had discontentedly turned up their noses at much more dainty fare . Then Joan fell asleep , cradled comfortably in the dwarf 's long arms , and Darby dozed at his side .