noon
When they are born they lie close to it , and when they die they fall no height to reach their graves . The rest -- the world -- are like ourselves in dreams : we do not walk ; we think we fly , over houses , over trees , over mountains ; and then one blessed instant the spring breaks , or the dream gets twisted , and we go falling , falling , in a sickening fear , and , waking up , we find we are and have been on the earth all the while , and yet can make no claim on it , and have no kin with it , and no right to ask anything of it -- quelle vie -- quelle vie ! '' Sick as I was , I thought of that as he stood there , looking in at me ; and though I knew I ought to hate him , I admired him in spite of all . Presently he said to Gabord , `` You 'll come to me at noon to-morrow , and see you bring good news . He breathes ? '' Gabord put a hand on my chest and at my neck , and said at once , `` Breath for balloons -- aho ! '' Doltaire threw his cloak over his shoulder and walked away , his footsteps sounding loud in the passages .