noon
She stepped ashore all glad to feel the firm warm sand underneath her foot-soles , and as one drunk with joy she was when the tall flowery grass of the latter May was caressing her legs as they shook the seed-dust off the bents , and smote the fragrance out of the blossoms ; and she might scarce at first lift her eyes from their familiar loveliness . Glad she was indeed , but exceeding worn and weary with the long voyage , and all the longing and fear and hope which had encompassed her that while . She lifted up her eyes but once , and saw the witch 's house standing where it was wont , but no shape of man moving about it ; then she turned aside to a little brake of thorn and eglantine in the meadow hard by , and laid her down on the grass in the shade thereof , and almost before her head touched the ground she fell asleep , and slept there long and peacefully . IT was some while after noon when she wakened , and the sun was shining bright and hot . Somewhat she felt the burden of fear upon her , even before she was fully come to herself , and knew not what it was that she feared ; but when she called to mind that it was even the meeting with her old mistress , her flesh quaked indeed with the memory of bygone anguish , but valiantly she arose and faced the dwelling of the witch despite her naked helplessness . As she went she looked up unto it , and saw no smoke coming from the chimney , but marvelled little thereat since it was not yet cooking-time and the weather hot . She drew nigher , and saw someone sitting on the bench without the door whereas the witch was wonted ; and her heart beat quick , for she saw presently that it was none other than her mistress .