noon
`` Thither , '' he said . `` I can not rest ere I have been there . '' `` You are right , '' she replied , and hand in hand they walked through the blooming heather , over which the wild bees were swarming , sleepily humming . When they entered the cemetery the clock at the White House was striking noon . Twelve times it sounded in short strokes , a soft echo quivered in the air , and then all was quiet again ; only the humming and singing continued . His mother 's grave was overgrown with ivy and wild myrtle , and at its head rose the radiant blossom of a golden-rod . Between the leaves rust-colored ants were creeping , and a lizard rustled down into the green depths .