noon
`` Would you like me to do so ? '' `` Yes , '' he said , in a faint imploring voice . I began a low song -- a strain associated with that same childhood of which I had just been thinking -- a low , sad strain , sweet to my ears and to my soul ; it spoke of peace and innocence , quiet home joys , and calm delights . My own mind brought before me the image of the house where I had lived , with the shadow of great trees around , and gorgeous flowers every where , where the sultry air breathed soft , and beneath the hot noon all men sank to rest and slumber . When I stopped I turned again . Philips had not changed his attitude . But as I turned he uttered an exclamation and tore out his watch .