noon
From that time onward , Monte Carlo and Tom were the most intimate of friends . Wherever the man went the cat followed . When he was working in the shallow trench , where the sparse gold dust was found , Tom sat or slept on the edge of the trench , and occasionally reminded Monty of the presence of a friend , by the soft crooning sound which a mother cat makes to her newborn kittens . The two shared their noon meal together ; and it was said by those who professed to have watched them that the cat always had the first choice of food , while the man contented himself with what his comrade rejected . In the evening Monty and Tom sat together at the door of the cabin , and conversed in low tones of any subject that happened to interest them for the time being . Monty set forth his political and social views , and the cat , listening with attention , mewed assent , or more rarely expressed an opposite opinion by the short , sharp mew , or an unmistakable oath . Once or twice a week Monty was compelled to visit the saloon for groceries and other necessities .