noon
I echoed dismally . `` Madam , if I have seemed impertinent , pardon me . I have been in the saddle six hours . I have ridden nearly thirty miles since noon . I am dead with fatigue . At least give me time to rest a bit before taking up the way again , I admit that the manner of my entrance was informal ; but how was I to know ? There was not even a knocker on the door by which to make known my presence to you . ''