noon
`` Courage , wife ! '' said he , laying a strong palm over one of her trembling hands . `` And you , sir , take my thanks ; go you home , and leave the search to me . '' It was noon , and in the Court House all the Councillors rose as the Commandant entered and took his seat . In the fewest possible words he opened the business , and leaned back in his chair of state , waiting for the talk to begin . He scarcely knew what he had said , and yet he had spoken well . With his restored authority had come back the old easy habit of it .