midday
* * * * * Miela and I occupied , that first night on Mercury , a broad wooden bed built low to the floor , with a mattress of palm fiber . At first I could not sleep , but lay thinking over the many things she had told me . The light in the room , too , was strange . Lattice covered the windows , but it was like trying to sleep at midday ; and the heat and heaviness of the air oppressed me . I dropped off finally , to be awakened by Miela 's voice calling me to breakfast . We sat down to the morning meal at a low table set with shining plates and goblets of copper , or whatever the metal was , and napery of silk . The rice formed our main article of food , with sugar , milk , and a beverage not unlike coffee .