noon
I followed her at once . The ramparts were very empty , as it was nearly dark . She took my arm and began to walk slowly under the trees , speaking calmly , mastering the excitement which she evidently suffered . She said , `` At noon to-day , after the dinner-hour , the padrona gave me three baskets of linen , and told me to carry them to their owners , with the bills which were pinned upon them . I put all three on my head and went away . The first errand was to the apartment of that old colonel of artillery , where I have often been before . I delivered the basket , unpacked it in his presence , received the money and my buona mano , and departed .