the
midday sun
Beric and Aemilia were sitting on the following day in the shade in front of the house , where Porus had erected a verandah of boughs to keep off the sun , when they observed a female peasant and an elderly man ascending the hill . They were still some distance down , and the man spoke to one of the farm men who was on his way down the hill . `` They are coming this way , '' Aemilia said ; `` they have passed the point where the paths fork . She seems to find that basket she is carrying heavy , and no wonder , for it is a steep climb under the midday sun . '' Stopping once or twice to get breath the two peasants approached . `` She is a good looking girl , Beric , '' Aemilia said . `` Our host has two or three nieces down in the town , '' Beric replied ; `` I expect it is one of them .