noon
Two avenues of enormous plane trees stretched across the fields toward the ancient Chateau de Gagny , then a mass of ruins . In this constantly watered district the grass grew to an extraordinary height . It resembled a garden between two wooded hills , a natural garden , of which the meadows were the lawns , the giant trees marking the colossal flower beds . When the sun 's rays at noon poured straight downward the shadows assumed a bluish tint ; scorched grass slept in the heat , while an icy shiver passed beneath the foliage . And there it was that Pere Merlier 's mill enlivened with its ticktack a corner of wild verdure . The structure , built of plaster and planks , seemed as old as the world . It dipped partially in the Morelle , which rounded at that point into a transparent basin .