noon
All friendship seemed futile at such a time . What could Sophie , or Bettina or Justin say which could match those burning words of her lover ? -LSB- Illustration : THE OTHER LETTERS LAY UNHEEDED -RSB- The sun , rising higher , filtered through the branches and fell like golden rain upon the surface of the pool -- the purple shadows gave way to emerald vistas ; a trail of honey-bees traveled unerringly toward a hidden honey store . It was high noon in the forest ! Diana , waking to the fact that the hours had flown , gathered up her other letters , and opened the one on top of the pile . It was Justin 's . What could he have to say to her , this boy who lived his life so lightly ?