noons
... A little sound came from the Hawk , a half-sigh . Abruptly he called one of the men on his watch and stationed him at the ` scope , and then he returned to the chart-table and the work of calculating their course to Earth . _ In Earth 's Shadow _ Hour after hour and day after day , for a week the _ Sandra _ tracked on through the boundless leagues , the waxing sunlight beating steadily on her starboard bow and her silent gravity-plates and singing generators bringing Earth ever nearer . Friday , who possessed an extensive knowledge of all the practical sciences , did extra service in the role of cook , and his regularly served meals disguised the undifferentiated hours of space into Earth-mornings , noons and nights . Watch in and watch out , and nothing to disturb the even routine . As for the ever-feared pursuit , there was no sign of it . Systematically and carefully the men stationed at the electelscope turned it through the region behind , but never did their watching eyes discern the bulk of the asteroid .