noon
Her tongue was parched . The water in the jug was warm and flat , yet she longed for a cool drink . During the day Kuni had noticed a well in the kitchen garden , and , in spite of her aching foot , hastened to it at once to draw the cool water . While doing so , the red and white pinks which she had noticed at noon again caught her eye in the starlight night . The sick woman could enjoy their fragrance now , and to-morrow , feast her eyes upon their bright colours . From childhood she had always been fond of flowers . Stealing was prohibited by her father as wicked and dangerous , and she had never transgressed his commands .