noon
It was good to feel the cleared air again , and to smell the scent that rises after rain , and to hear the song of the birds break out around us . Yet on every face was a fear that would not be put aside . Men thought that the earthquake boded ill for the journey of the king and what might come thereof . So when the rain had passed we rode away after the king , followed by the pack horses , and before noon caught him up . He had heard then what had happened to set his steed beyond control , and his face was grave also . Even he could not help fearing that the earthquake , coming at that moment as it did , might be sent as a token which he must hear though the dreams of his mother went for naught . `` And yet , '' he said to Father Selred and myself as we rode beside him , `` I am doing what I deem best for throne and realm , and I have no thought of guile or harm to any man .