noon
All was in utter confusion . Stern saw that the terraces would have to be blasted and leveled , roads and stairs built along the face of the rock and down to the river , stalactites and stalagmites cut away , chambers fashioned , and a vast deal of labor done ; but the rough framework of a cliff colony undeniably existed here . He doubted whether it would be possible to find a more favorable site without long and tedious travels . `` I guess we 'll take the apartments and sign the lease , '' he decided toward noon , after they had clambered , pried , explored with improvised torches , and penetrated far into some of the grottoes . `` The main thing to consider is that we can find darkness and humidity for the Folk by day . They must n't be let out at first except in the night . It may be weeks or months before they can stand the direct sunlight .