About noon
They threw bones and vegetables at the farmer and his sons , kept them dodging all the time , and applauded uproariously when a good hit was made . They ended by buttering the head of one of the daughters who resented some of their familiarities . When they took their leave they threatened to come back and burn the house over the heads of the family if any report of their doings got to the ears of the authorities . About noon , after a long and weary tramp , the gang came to a halt behind a hedge on the outskirts of a considerable village . An hour was allowed for rest , then the crew scattered themselves abroad to enter the village at different points to ply their various trades -- ` Jack ' was sent with Hugo . They wandered hither and thither for some time , Hugo watching for opportunities to do a stroke of business , but finding none -- so he finally said -- `` I see nought to steal ; it is a paltry place . Wherefore we will beg . ''