noon
`` Then I shall be too happy to accept your cordial invitation , '' replied the mandarin . That matter was settled ; and the new passenger went to his palace to prepare for his journey , though he did not forget to send one of his people to Tung-chow to arrange for the reception of the party the next day . The horses the young men rode , the mule-litters , wheelbarrows , and jinrikishas were at the door of the hotel early in the morning ; and the mandarin , with his valet , were on time . The company reached Tung-chow before noon ; and a Chinese lunch was ready for them , ordered by the new passenger . The Blanchita was all ready for them to step on board when they had partaken of roast goose , duck , and chicken at the inn . The passage down the river was a frolic all the way , and the guest told them more about China than they had learned before in regard to matters not generally known . Felipe hurried the steamer , and she was alongside the Guardian-Mother before five in the afternoon .