midday
The trappers who appealed to him in their need left him with a knowledge that their efforts must be increased if they were to pay off their credits , and keep up their profits for the next winter 's supplies . Then , too , he avoided Kars , who was sharing the Padre 's hospitality , and even abandoned his nightly visits to the priest , which had been his habit of years . It was as rarely as possible that he came down to the Mission , and the clearing only saw him when the demand of nature made his food imperative . It was one day , just after his midday dinner , that Murray encountered Father José . He was leaving Ailsa Mowbray 's house , and the old priest protested at his desertion . The trader 's answer was ready on the moment . `` I hate it , Padre , '' he said , with unnecessary force .