noon
The stranger made his way into one of these rooms , where he was warmly welcomed by a young man , who was occupied in cutting a Kopais reed into a mouth-piece for a double flute , and by a tall matronly woman . The new-comer 's name was Karnis and he was the head of a family of wandering singers who had arrived in Alexandria only the day before from Rome . His surroundings were poor and mean , for their ship had been attacked off the African coast by a band of pirates , and though they had saved their lives they had lost everything they possessed . The young owner of the vessel , to whom he owed his safety , had procured him admission to this Xenodochium , -- -LSB- a refuge or inn -RSB- -- kept by his mother the Widow Mary ; Karnis had , however , found it far from comfortable , and had gone forth at noon to seek other quarters . `` All in vain ! '' said he , as he wiped the heat drops from his forehead . `` I have hunted Medius half the city through and found him at last at the house of Posidonius the Magian , whose assistant he is .