noon
He led me up to my own little chamber , took fresh raiment for me from a press , called Lorenza and bade her bring bread and wine , vinegar and warm water . In a very weak dilution of the latter he bade me bathe my lacerated feet , and then he found fine strips of linen in which to bind them ere I drew fresh hose and shoes . And meanwhile munching my bread and salt and taking great draughts of the pure if somewhat sour wine , my mental peace was increased by the refreshment of my body . At last I stood up more myself than I had been in these last twelve awful hours -- for it was just noon , and into twelve hours had been packed the events that well might have filled a lifetime . He put an arm about my shoulder , fondly as a father might have done , and so led me below again and into my mother 's presence . We found her kneeling before the Crucifix , telling her beads ; and we stood waiting a few moments in silence until with a sigh and a rustle of her stiff black dress she rose gently and turned to face us . My heart thudded violently in that moment , as I looked into that pale face of sorrow .