noon
Four days passed . I might have used the word `` sped , '' only that verb could not be truthfully applied . Never before in the history of time -LRB- so our jehu thought -RRB- did four days cast their shadows more slowly across the dial of the hours . From noon till night there was a madding nothing to do but polish bits and buckles and stirrups and ornamental silver . He would have been totally miserable but for the morning rides . These were worth while ; for he was riding Pirate , and there was always that expectation of the unexpected . But Pirate behaved himself puzzlingly well .