noon
In the valley there stands a gloomy house , and grass grows on its threshold . Doors and windows are always shut . No smoke rises from the roof . But at noon , when the sunshine falls , a window opens , and the orphan girl sits spinning at her wheel . She spins , and as she works , she sings -- a song of sadness . But no other song comes to answer hers ! One day -- a day in spring-time -- a turtle-dove settled on a tree hard by , and heard the maiden 's song .