noon
Dinner time came ; but the men did n't come back . Supper time ; -- then evening came on , dark and chilly , and Desire 's lips grew paler every minute : still , no tidings yet of the boy . Through the long night she listened -- listened -- listened , till every gust of wind made her tremble like the leaves . Morning dawned , -- noon came again , -- then night . Then , indeed , at last they heard the tramp of heavy feet . Desire sprang from her chair and ran toward the door , then back again to her seat , with her hands pressed tightly on her heart ; then back to the door , as if her straining eye could pierce the darkness . It did , God pity her !