noon
She turned slowly and looked toward the marsh , trying to hear the words of the song above the ripple of Singing Water , and to see the form of the man . Slowly she lifted her handkerchief and pressed it against her lips , as she whispered in an awed voice , `` My gracious Heaven , is THAT the kind of a kiss he is expecting me to give HIM ? Why , I could n't -- not to save my life . '' She placed her brushes in water , set the colour box on the paper , and went to the kitchen to prepare the noon lunch . As she worked the soft colour deepened in her cheeks , a new light glowed in her eyes , and she hummed over the tune that floated across the marsh . She was very busy when the Harvester came , but he spoke casually of his morning 's work , ate heartily , and ordered her to take a nap while he washed roots and filled the trays , and then they went to the woods together for the afternoon . In the evening they came home to the cabin and finished the day 's work .