midday
`` Oh yes , I shall look out , '' he said mildly . `` And -- incidentally -- Tommy is teaching me how to shoot . '' They returned to Tessa who was still sleeping , and Mrs. Ralston gave up her place beside her to Bernard , who settled down with a paper to spend the afternoon . Major Ralston departed for The Green Bungalow , and the silence of midday fell upon the place . It was still early in the year , but the warmth was as that of a soft summer day in England . The lazy drone of bees hung on the air , and somewhere among the tamarisks a small , persistent bird , called and called perpetually , receiving no reply . `` A fine example of perseverance , '' Bernard murmured to himself .