noon
But care and judgment and tact must be used , lest , in endeavouring to bring back the mind to its old balance , anything should be done which might rather throw it further out . Nothing sudden or exciting must be attempted ; for the delicate structure , which care and sorrow had disarranged , must be brought into a right adjustment by gentle and cautious treatment . The jarring chords could not be made to vibrate in tune by sweeping them with a rough and unsympathising stroke ; all could be reduced to harmony only by some loving and judicious action which would draw up or slacken the discordant strings with a force which would be felt only in its results . It was therefore arranged that on the morrow the physician should bring his patient to the sea-side at noon , and that , while he and she were seated in view of the waves , and were listening to their soothing plashing , Amos and his brother and sister should pass near , and be guided in what they should do as circumstances might suggest . `` Your mother , '' said the physician , `` simply wants her mind clearing ; all is more or less confused at present . She grasps nothing distinctly ; and yet she is often very near a clear perception . But it is with her mind as with a telescope : it is near the right focus for seeing things clearly , but simply it wants the adjustment which would bring it to the point of unclouded vision , and then , when that adjustment has been reached , it wants to be kept fixed at the right focus .