midday
Touched by so much kindly thought he recognised that his grandmother 's activity was not only exerted to gratify herself . The days passed quietly by . Every morning the sun climbed up through the blue air , and lighted up the Volga and its banks . At midday the snowy clouds crept up , often piled one on another until the blue sky was hidden , and the cooling rain fell on woods and fields ; then once more the clouds stole away before the approach of the warm , pleasant evening . Life at Malinovka passed just as peacefully . The naiveté of the surroundings had not yet lost its charm for Raisky . The sunshine insinuating itself everywhere , his aunt 's kind face , Marfinka 's friendliness , and the willing attention of the servants made up a pleasant , friendly environment .