midday
They were laden with things for the journey given by the prioress , and with what they had saved from Matelgar 's hall , though that was little enough . Wulfhere would fain have made the collier ride one of these spare horses ; but the strange man had refused , saying that his own legs he could trust , but not those of a four-footed beast . It was seven in the bright May morning when Dane and Saxon met on Combwich Hill . It was midday when I met Wulfhere at the nunnery , and now it was three hours and more past . But I thought there was yet light enough left for us to find our way across Sedgemoor , and lodge that night in safety in the village near the collier 's hut ; and so , too , thought Wulfhere when I , thinking that perhaps Alswythe 's grief might find its own solace in tears when I was not by her , rode on beside him for a while . `` Once set me on Polden hills , master , '' said Wulfhere , `` I can do well enough , knowing that country from my youth . But this is a good chance that has sent you your friend the collier . ''