noon
Horan , who had betrayed unmistakable symptoms of insubordination that morning , quailed under the flowing rebuke . He was a man of muscular strength and meagre intellect ; words hit him like trip-hammers . `` Certainly , governor , '' he stammered , and spoke to the camel politely , guiding that enraged and squealing quadruped to his manger with a forced smile . With mallet , hammer , saw , and screw-driver I worked until noon , maturing my plans all the while . These plans would take the last penny in the treasury and leave us in debt several thousand francs . But it was win or go to smash now , and personally I have always preferred a tremendous smash to a slow and oozy fizzle . A big pot of fragrant soup was served to the company at luncheon ; and it amused me to see Jacqueline troop into the tent with the others and sit down with her bit of bread and her bowl of broth .