five hours after noon
said the carle , `` I pray thee go not to thy death ! '' Walter heard him silently , but as if he were persuaded to refrain ; and then the old man fell to , and told him much concerning this Bear-folk and their customs , speaking very freely of them ; but Walter 's ears were scarce open to this talk : whereas he deemed that he should have nought to do with those wild men ; and he durst not ask again concerning the country whereto led the pass on the northward . As they were in converse thus , they heard the hunters blowing on their horns all together ; whereon the old man arose , and said : `` I deem by the blowing that the hunt will be over and done , and that they be blowing on their fellows who have gone scatter-meal about the wood . It is now some five hours after noon , and thy men will be getting back with their venison , and will be fainest of the victuals they have caught ; therefore will I hasten on before , and get ready fire and water and other matters for the cooking . Wilt thou come with me , young master , or abide thy men here ? '' Walter said lightly : `` I will rest and abide them here ; since I can not fail to see them hence as they go on their ways to thine house . And it may be well that I be at hand to command them and forbid , and put some order amongst them , for rough playmates they be , some of them , and now all heated with the hunting and the joy of the green earth . ''