four o'clock
About noon the knight visited his workmen . Noticing that Israel made little progress , he said to him , that though he had long arms and broad shoulders , yet he was feigning himself to be a very weak man , or otherwise must in reality be so . Hereupon one of the laborers standing by informed the gentleman how it was with Israel , when immediately the knight put a shilling into his hands and bade him go to a little roadside inn , which was nearer than the house , and buy him bread and a pot of beer . Thus refreshed he returned to the band , and toiled with them till four o'clock , when the day 's work was over . Arrived at the house he there again saw his employer , who , after attentively eyeing him without speaking , bade a meal be prepared for him , when the maid presenting a smaller supply than her kind master deemed necessary , she was ordered to return and bring out the entire dish . But aware of the danger of sudden repletion of heavy food to one in his condition , Israel , previously recruited by the frugal meal at the inn , partook but sparingly . The repast was spread on the grass , and being over , the good knight again looking inquisitively at Israel , ordered a comfortable bed to be laid in the barn , and here Israel spent a capital night .