There is a thing given to the men of my family that is not given to all, or many, men. Even with us, it is not a thing that can be done anywhere, or for that matter, at any time.

For us, it is required that we stand in a place of our power, where we might stand as male head of household. All powers of people, however assembled, must recognize that place as ours, even if we must jam the papers that declaim this into places society's watchdogs would not prefer.

There is a thing, in such a place, which we might do. Petition it of us should you find yourself in need - to a man, we are pleased to entertain, and oft to grant, such a request. We understand that you'll require it in the morning, though to a man, the sum of us at that time of day is less than it might be. Perhaps that's why we generally do then, in that place and with great pleasure, that thing that most men cannot do.

We can, by raising our arms out-of-doors, and stating our new truth four times while facing each cardinal point, declare it noon. There is no hour, dawn or later, at which this power fails, given the man, given the place.

As no honorable man (or woman!) drinks before noon, this thing is sometimes needful. There are sometimes tastes to be had, times to be taken, songs to be sung, which call upon a head of household to maintain the honor of his guests regardless of what sins might otherwise have passed their lips.

I shall look up into my father's eyes, on the morrow and in his place, and ask this thing of him.

I smile to think of what he'll do.