noon
Eric laughed too , and promised and stood on tiptoes to kiss her again . He stroked her short flower petal hair , and kissed her cool brown cheek over and over . But he did not cling to her . And he did not say another word , but ran to catch up with Ivra who was to walk with him until noon and had gone on ahead . The children did not scuffle through the banks of leaves , or jump and run and burst into play as they were used to doing . They walked steadily forward , saying very little , neither hurrying nor delaying their steps . Once when Eric 's sandal came untied Ivra knelt to fix it , for she was still more skillful with knots than he .