noon
But though hundreds were lured to their death by sirupy drowning , the attacking host remained undiminished , and the death-traps only succeeded in adding disgusting odors to the already laden atmosphere . Fortunately , noses on Suffering Creek were not over-sensitive , and the fly , with all his native unpleasantness , was a small matter in the scheme of the frontiersman 's life , and , like all other obstructions , was brushed aside physically as well as mentally . The afternoon quiet had set in . The noon rush had passed , nor would the re-awakening of the camp occur until evening . Ordinarily the quiet of the long afternoon would have been pleasant enough to the hard-working storekeeper . For surely there is something approaching delight in the leisure moments of a day 's hard and prosperous work . But just now Minky had little ease of mind .