noon
But he found his consolation in a pipe ; not a pipe of tobacco , nor yet a pipe of old madeira , which , figuratively , most disappointed lovers seek ; but a pipe of melody , a pipe of flowing tunes and stirring marches ; a pipe of three holes , vulgarly termed by those who know not its high classic origin from the Grecian reeds and its relation to the Pandian pipes , a tin whistle ! Thus was Straws classic in his taste , affecting the instrument wherein Acis sighed his soul and breath away for fair Galatea ! It had been a lazy , purposeless day . He had awakened at noon ; had coffee and rolls in bed ; had dressed , got up , looked out , lain down again , read , and vainly essayed original composition . Now , lying on his back , with the Complete and Classic Preceptor before him , he soothed himself with such music `` as washes the every-day dust from the soul . '' For a pipe of three holes , his instrument had a remarkable compass ; melody followed melody -- `` The Harp that Once through Tara 's Hall , '' `` She is Far from the Land , '' `` In Death I shall Calm Recline , '' and other popular pieces . When Straws missed a note he went back to find it ; when he erred in a phrase , he patiently repeated it .