noon
She forgot all about him before his wagon turned the corner of the road , and chatted away to Malcom , questioning and nipping with increasing zest . As the day grew cooler , her spirits rose under the best of all stimulants , agreeable occupation . The birds ceased at last their nest-building , and from orchard and grove came many an inspiring song . Edith listened with keen enjoyment , and country life and work looked no longer as they had done in the sultry noon . She saw with deep satisfaction the long rows of strawberry-vines increasing under Malcom 's labors . In the still humid air the plants scarcely wilted and stood up with the bright look of those well started in life . As evening approached , and no carriage of note had passed , Edith ventured to get her transplanting trowel , doff her gloves , and commence dividing her flower roots , that she might put them elsewhere .