noon
It was long before Rodriguez ' fanciful thoughts came back from among the flowers , for among those delicate earliest blooms of Spring his youthful visions felt they were with familiars ; so they tarried , neglecting the dusty road and poor gross Morano . But when his fancies left the flowers at last and looked again at Morano , Rodriguez perceived that his servant was all troubled with thought : so he left Morano in silence for his thought to come to maturity , for he had formed a liking already for the judgments of Morano 's simple mind . They walked in silence for the space of an hour , and at last Morano spoke . It was then noon . `` Master , '' he said , `` at this hour it is the custom of la Garda to enter the Inn of the Dragon and to dine at the expense of mine host . '' `` A merry custom , '' said Rodriguez . `` Master , '' said Morano , `` if they find him in less than his usual health they will get their dinners for themselves in the larder and dine and afterwards sleep .