noon
Dost thou not see that my joy and gladness is for the love of thee , and the thought of the rest from trouble that is at hand ? '' He looked up , and his eyes met the eyes of her love , and he would have cast his arms about her ; but she drew aback and said : `` Nay , thou must refrain thee awhile , dear friend , lest these folk cast eyes on us , and deem us over lover-like for what I am to bid them deem me . Abide a while , and then shall all be in me according to thy will . But now I must tell thee that it is not very far from noon , and that the Bears are streaming into the Dale , and already there is an host of men at the Doom - ring , and , as I said , the bale for the burnt-offering is wellnigh dight , whether it be for us , or for some other creature . And now I have to bid thee this , and it will be a thing easy for thee to do , to wit , that thou look as if thou wert of the race of the Gods , and not to blench , or show sign of blenching , whatever betide : to yea-say both my yea-say and my nay - say : and lastly this , which is the only hard thing for thee -LRB- but thou hast already done it before somewhat -RRB- , to look upon me with no masterful eyes of love , nor as if thou wert at once praying me and commanding me ; rather thou shalt so demean thee as if thou wert my man all simply , and nowise my master . '' `` O friend beloved , '' said Walter , `` here at least art thou the master , and I will do all thy bidding , in certain hope of this , that either we shall live together or die together . '' But as they spoke , in came the elder , and with him a young maiden , bearing with them their breakfast of curds arid cream and strawberries , and he bade them eat .