noon
From the elevation at which she was , it appeared as if the ocean swelled up into the very sky , so high was the horizon line : and between lay a vast region of rock and river , hill and dale , forest , fiord , and town , part in golden sunlight , part in deep shadow , but all , though bright as the skies could make it , silent as became the hour . As Erica found that she could glance at the sun itself without losing sight of the cattle , which still lay within her indirect vision , she carefully watched the descent of the orb , anxious to observe precisely when it should disappear , and how soon its golden spark would kindle up again from the waves . When its lower rim was just touching the waters , its circle seemed to be of an enormous size , and its whole mass to be flaming . Its appearance was very unlike that of the comparatively small , compact , brilliant luminary which rides the sky at noon . Erica was just thinking so , when a rustle in the thicket , within the pine grove , made her involuntarily turn her head in that direction . Instantly remembering that it was a common device of the underground people for one of them to make the watcher look away , in order that others might drive off the cattle , she resumed her duty , and gazed steadfastly at the herd . They were safe -- neither reduced to the size of mice , nor wandering off , though she had let her eye glance away from them .