noon
He felt a serious responsibility toward his fortune , though absolutely without the thrill of personal possession . The just administration of these huge forces formed no little part of his work , and in his entire thinking on this subject , New York stood most directly in the need of service . It was there that the Captain 's accumulated vitality must be used for good . Early in the second month , Bedient came in at noon from a long ride across the lands , and reaching the great porch of the _ hacienda _ , he turned to observe a tropic shower across the valley . The torrent approached at express speed . It was a clean-cut pouring , several acres in extent . Bedient watched it fill the spaces between the little hills , sweep from crest to crest , and bring out a subdued glow in the wild verdure as it swept across the main valley .