noon
Once a black ant assassinated an enemy on Dannie 's shoe , by creeping up behind it and puncturing its abdomen . Noon came , and neither of the fishermen spoke or moved from their work . The lunch Mary had prepared with such care they had forgotten . A little after noon , Dannie got another strike , deep fishing . Mid-afternoon found them still even , and patiently fishing . Then it was not so long until supper time , and the air was steadily growing colder . The south wind had veered to the west , and signs of a black frost were in the air .