noon
But driven by hunger he stole down , his way marked by a swaying in the close-packed foliage . He could see the smoke rising in a blue skein from its chimney and at night its windows break out in bright squares . He drew close enough to watch the men go off to their work and the women move , sunbonneted , about the yard . The second day , faint and desperate , he ventured ; it was midmorning , the men away in the fields till noon . There was not a sound when he reached the house , skirted the rear , and walked round to the side where a balcony ran the length of the building . Chairs stood here and evidences of sewing , work baskets , spools and scissors , and a tumbled heap of material . On the step lay a newspaper and he was stretching his hand for it when he heard the voices of women .