noon
She crossed the widening brook , almost a little river now , and kept along its farther bank for half an hour , then left it and struck into the fringe of the woods . It was very still here ; the road was far away , and only the chatter of the birds and the liquid cluck of the little stream disturbed the stillness of the growing things . She walked softly , except for the whisper of brushing against the spreading branches that choked the tiny path . The heat of noon was rising to its climax , and the shafts of light struck warm on her cheeks . Suddenly a sound disturbed the peace of the woods -- a scratching , rattling , scurrying sound . Something was moving through the dead leaves that had gathered among the roots and trunks . She started back nervously , but jumped forward again with a cry of delight , and caught William Thayer in her arms .