nearly noon
She looked away from him and out to sea . `` I am very sorry , '' she repeated . And he again said : `` It does n't matter , Signorina . '' It was nearly noon when they drew near to the island . The weather was heavily hot , languidly hot even upon the water . There was a haze hanging over the world in which distant objects appeared like unsubstantial clouds , or dream things impregnated with a mystery that was mournful . The voice of a fisherman singing not far off came to them like the voice of Fate , issuing from the ocean to tell them of the sadness that was the doom of men .