The midday sun
`` The ass is eating my hat , '' he remarked , and stretched out for it instead of answering her . Evelyn blushed very slightly and then turned with some impetuosity upon Mr. Perrott , and when they mounted again it was Mr. Perrott who lifted her to her seat . `` When one has laid the eggs one eats the omelette , '' said Hughling Elliot , exquisitely in French , a hint to the rest of them that it was time to ride on again . The midday sun which Hirst had foretold was beginning to beat down hotly . The higher they got the more of the sky appeared , until the mountain was only a small tent of earth against an enormous blue background . The English fell silent ; the natives who walked beside the donkeys broke into queer wavering songs and tossed jokes from one to the other . The way grew very steep , and each rider kept his eyes fixed on the hobbling curved form of the rider and donkey directly in front of him .