noon
`` Dine , sir ! '' said the good dame , forgetting her pomposity in her astonishment . `` Yes , dine , '' said the Prince . `` Mr. Beckendorff never takes anything after his noon meal . '' `` Am I to understand , then , that we are to have no dinner ? '' asked his Highness , angry and agitated . `` Mr. Beckendorff never takes anything after his noon meal , sir ; but I am sure that if you and your friend are hungry , sir , I hope there is never a want in this house . ''