They are always ready for the enemy, with drums beating and flags flying--at ten o'clock in the morning.

But he does not always come at that hour.
I waited a little, and then I groped my way to the door and knocked on it with the hilt of my sword.

The dogs began to bark at the back, and the chorus of a drinking-song, which came fitfully from the east wing, ceased altogether.

An inner door opened, and an angry voice, apparently an officer's, began to rate someone for not coming.

Another moment, and a clamour of voices and footsteps seemed to pour into the hall, and fill it.