noon
It was then Pietro reappeared , jubilant , of course . He wrung the boy 's hand until it ached , at the time exclaiming , `` You 're wanted on every side ; you can take your pick of chances to sell your bird , and if you ever wish to engage as a trainer of pigeons , the way is open to you ! '' When Andrea presented his metal tag for `` 1104 , '' the crowd fairly closed in upon him , shouting offers . Altogether it was a great triumph , but he felt tired , and his head ached so that it was a distinct relief when Pietro , looking at his watch , declared there was n't a moment to lose if he intended to catch the noon train for Venice ! He was glad it was over , and all the way down the tree-lined avenue , he kept looking through the cracks of the basket , as if to assure himself that Chico was really there . But at the station another ordeal confronted him . Pietro had insisted when they were first discussing coming to Verona that Chico must fly home , and to this Andrea , at the time , had consented .