noon
It seemed as if her mind reached forward toward something that eluded its grasp , until we both broke into laughter as a willow-grouse disturbed by the horse 's feet rose whirring to a redwood branch and perched there , close within reach , regarding us with an assurance that was ludicrous . `` It thinks it is perfectly safe , '' I said . `` You might shoot until you hit it , or knock it down with a stick , and yet there is no more timorous creature among the undergrowth , unless it has a brood of chicks , when it will attack any one . '' At noon we rested for luncheon in an open glade , where bright sunlight beat down upon the boulders of a stream which surged among them , stained green by the drainage from a glacier ; and there was merry laughter over the viands Calvert produced from his pack . `` I did my best , Miss Carrington , '' he said , `` but as yet they 're a primitive people among these mountains -- and it 's not to be wondered at , with that huge rampart between them and civilization . ` Something nice for a lady ? ' the storekeeper said .