midday
The gold piece lay within her brown fingers a thought too lightly , for as she stepped back from the row of gentlefolk it slid from her hand to the ground . A gentleman , sitting beside the lady who had spoken to her , stooped , and picking up the money gave it again into her hand . Though she curtsied to him , she did not look at him , but turned away , glad to be quit of all the eyes , and in a moment had slipped into the crowd from which she had come . It was midday , and old Israel , the fisherman , who had brought her and the Widow Constance 's Barbara up the river in his boat , would be going back with the tide . She was not loath to leave : the green meadow , the gaudy Maypole , and the music were good , but the silence on the river , the shadow of the brooding forest , the darting of the fish hawk , were better . In the meadow the boys ' race and the rustic dance were soon over . The dinner at the Jaquelin house to its guests lasted longer , but it too was hurried ; for in the afternoon Mr. Harrison 's mare Nelly was to run against Major Burwell 's Fearnaught , and the stakes were heavy .