noon
At the suggestion of his ecclesiastical superior Constans brought within doors the offerings of food that had been left by the earlier worshippers . There were some dry cakes , baked of rye flour , a pot of honey , cheese , milk , and two bottles of wine . These provisions he was ordered to carry to a room on the story above the street , where a fire of sea-coal burned cheerfully in a brazier . Here they sat down and feasted amicably together , for the frosty air had put a keen edge to appetite and the noon hour was long overpast . And then as they sat at ease after the meal and the old man was well started on his second pipe , Constans came directly to the point . `` If I am to serve the Shining One acceptably , '' he said , `` there are many things that I should know . May I speak , my father ? ''