noon
Somehow , it mocked him , filled him with a sense of the vanity of life and all its fleeting impressions . The rain came down in a tremulous flood , investing everything with its colorless tears . The trees , the buildings , the very earth itself seemed to be melting away in silvery-gray grief . Just before noon it lightened up a trifle and the rain stopped . `` Let 's get out of this ! '' Monet said , sweeping the frozen assembly in the smoking room with an almost scornful glance . They found their hats and without further ado they started on a swing about the grounds .