noon
When the cuts were nearly meeting , one stopped and the other slowed down , leaving his ax in the wood for a moment at every blow ; the mere strip , by some miracle still holding the tree erect , yielded at last , the trunk began to lean and the two axmen stepped back a pace and watched it fall , shouting at the same instant a warning of the danger . It was then the turn of Edwige Legare and Esdras ; when the tree was not too heavy each took an end , clasping their strong hands beneath the trunk , and then raised themselves-backs straining , arms cracking under the stress-and carried it to the nearest heap with short unsteady steps , getting over the fallen timber with stumbling effort . When the burden seemed too heavy , Tit ` Bé came forward leading Charles Eugene dragging a tug-bar with a strong chain ; this was passed round the trunk and fastened , the horse bent his back , and with the muscles of his hindquarters standing out , hauled away the tree which scraped along the stumps and crushed the young alders to the ground . At noon Maria came out to the door-step and gave a long call to tell them that dinner was ready . Slowly they straightened up among the stumps , wiping away with the backs of their hands the drops of sweat that ran into their eyes , and made their way to the house . Already the pea-soup smoked in the plates . The five men set themselves at table without haste , as if sensation were somewhat dulled by the heavy work ; but as they caught their breath a great hunger awoke , and soon they began to eat with keen appetite .