midday
Fortunately it proved to be not too late . You can not `` get the breeks off a Highlander , '' and after a week or two not a cod tail or a cent would have been available from Ike . As it was , my coming to the assistance of my poor friend happened to save the `` entente '' from being a tragedy , and enabled us to relegate the whole incident to our comedy group . A peremptory order to Ike to wait for me at midday at the room we call the court-house would , I knew , impress him with the necessity of obedience , far more than a second visit to his cabin . The effort which the journey would cost him and the time allowed for reflection would , moreover , punctuate the importance of the occasion . Emile 's calculation of the amount of fish caught , corrected by Karlek by the simple process of multiplying the sum by two , and with a bit more added by myself to be sure not to underestimate it , formed all the legal data I needed . The lean , scrawny figure of Ike , twisting and squirming with evident uneasiness , awaited my arrival at the appointed time .