noon
But Donal rose , and walked out of the cottage , half wondering at himself that he had dared as he had , yet feeling he had done but the most natural thing in the world . `` Hoo a body 's to win throuw the day wantin ' the lord o ' the day an ' the hoor an ' the minute , 's ` ayont me ! '' he said to himself , and hastened away . Ere noon the blue line of the far ocean rose on the horizon . Donal was queer , some of my readers will think , and I admit it ; for the man who regards the affairs of life from any other point than his own greedy self , must be queer indeed in the eyes of all who are slaves to their imagined necessities and undisputed desires . It was evening when he drew nigh the place whither he had directed his steps -- a little country town , not far from a famous seat of learning : there he would make inquiry before going further . The minister of his parish knew the minister of Auchars , and had given him a letter of introduction .