nearly noon
... My Gawd , lad , to have C'lestin ' in the hold under ` me feet -- as he wanst had me -- but let that pass -- or lyin ' deeper still under the _ Savonarola _ with the fishes tuggin ' at his carcass . Ah , 't is deep fathims under the _ Savonarola _ , me lad -- '' Bedient had not been listening for a moment . A _ carometa _ was moving slowly toward him , down the _ Calle Real , _ and he fancied the flutter of a handkerchief from its side window . It was nearly noon . The dazzle of sunlight upon the glass of the _ carometa _ was in his eyes , so he could not see the face within , but a slim hand signaled again . The vehicle approached with torturing slowness until the dazzle nickered out and he hurried forward to greet Miss Mallory , whose face blanched at the sight of him . `` You look as if you would fall ! ''