noon
`` The servants of my father 's house , '' he cried , `` have bread enough and to spare , while I perish with hunger ; '' and continuing the language of the prodigal in the Scriptures , he said , `` I will arise and go unto my father , and say , I have sinned against Heaven , and in thy sight . '' With a slow and tottering step , he arose to proceed on his journey to his father 's house . A month had passed -- for every day he made less progress -- ere the home of his infancy appeared in sight . It was noon , and , when he saw it , he sat down in a little wood by a hill-side and wept , until it had become dusk ; for he was ashamed of his rags . He drew near the house , but none came forth to welcome him . With a timid hand he rapped at the door , but none answered him . A stranger came from one of the outhouses and inquired , `` What dost thou want , man ? ''