noon
I saw him jump , and his scales flashed in the gray light like a bright blade of steel , a loop of line gathering round him . At length the prize was taken , and a fine sea trout was brought exhausted to the bank . Thus I fished , now wading to the knees in the rapid stream , now sitting on a large stone readjusting my flies . Before noon the rain fell heavily , but by the time that I reached the Bridge of Waithe my basket was full , and I walked along the road as far as Clouston , the dog following in the wet with drooping , draggling tail , and ears dripping with the rain . My clothes were wet through and I was cold , and , wishing for shelter and a bite of food , I turned across the heath to Jack Paterson 's croft . I opened the door of the little cottage without knocking , and found Jack and his wife Jean at home , with their family of six waiting for their midday meal . Hilda , the eldest girl , was arranging some wooden dishes on the table ready for the potatoes .