noon
They reminded him of his cousin Decius , whom a noble manuscript would transport with joy . And thought of Decius took him back to Surrentum . He fell into a dream . On the morrow , at noon , he was well enough to descend to the refectory , where he had a seat at the abbot 's table . His meal consisted of a roast pigeon , a plate of vegetables , honey and grapes , with bread which seemed to him better than he had ever tasted , and wine whereof his still weak head bade him partake very modestly . The abbot 's dinner , he saw , was much simpler : a bowl of milk , a slice of bread , and a couple of figs . After the kindly greeting with which he was received , there was no conversation , for a monk read aloud during the repast .