noon before
Whether ` Mary Queen of Scots ' prattled pertly of ancient English politics , or whimpered piteously about dull-colored modern fashions -- what did it matter so long as the letter came , and smelled of faded fleur-de-lis -- or of Darnley 's tobacco smoke ? Altogether pleased by the vividness of both these pictures Stanton turned quite amiably to his breakfast and gulped down a lukewarm bowl of milk without half his usual complaint . -LSB- Illustration : `` Good enough ! '' he chuckled -RSB- It was almost noon before his troubles commenced again . Then like a raging hot tide , the pain began in the soft , fleshy soles of his feet and mounted up inch by inch through the calves of his legs , through his aching thighs , through his tortured back , through his cringing neck , till the whole reeking misery seemed to foam and froth in his brain in an utter frenzy of furious resentment . Again the day dragged by with maddening monotony and loneliness . Again the clock mocked him , and the postman shirked him , and the janitor forgot him .