noon
I then console myself by saying : `` I have come through the door of Dismay ; and the way back from the world into which that has led me , is through my tomb . Upon that the red sign lies , and I shall find it one day , and be glad . '' I will end my story with the relation of an incident which befell me a few days ago . I had been with my reapers , and , when they ceased their work at noon , I had lain down under the shadow of a great , ancient beech-tree , that stood on the edge of the field . As I lay , with my eyes closed , I began to listen to the sound of the leaves overhead . At first , they made sweet inarticulate music alone ; but , by-and-by , the sound seemed to begin to take shape , and to be gradually moulding itself into words ; till , at last , I seemed able to distinguish these , half-dissolved in a little ocean of circumfluent tones : `` A great good is coming -- is coming -- is coming to thee , Anodos ; '' and so over and over again . I fancied that the sound reminded me of the voice of the ancient woman , in the cottage that was four-square .