noon
And their wives and daughters were equally welcome . At the entrance of each tent , the duke 's servants invited all to enter , supplied them with required refreshments , or indicated their appointed places at the approaching banquet . In general , though there were many miscellaneous parties , each village entered the park in procession , with its flag and its band . At noon the scene presented the appearance of an immense but well-ordered fair . In the background , men and boys climbed poles or raced in sacks , while the exploits of the ginglers , their mischievous manoeuvres and subtle combinations , elicited frequent bursts of laughter . Further on , two long-menaced cricket matches called forth all the skill and energy of Fuddleton and Buddleton , and Winch and Finch . The great throng of the population , however , was in the precincts of the terrace , where , in the course of the morning , it was known that the duke and duchess , with the hero of the day and all their friends , were to appear , to witness the sports of the people , and especially the feats of the morrice-dancers , who were at this moment practising before a very numerous and delighted audience .