midday
So I put off any discussion of the problem until the morrow . Next morning , as a result of my cogitations , I went to see Zikali . I was admitted after a good deal of trouble and delay , for although his retinue was limited and , with the exception of Nombe , entirely male , this old prophet kept a kind of semi-state and was about as difficult to approach as a European monarch . I found him crouching over a fire in his hut , since at this season of the year even in that hot place the air was chilly until midday . `` What is it , Macumazahn ? '' he asked . `` As to your going away , have patience .