noon
he exclaimed . `` But it was not so ordained . It was His hour alone , the most pregnant hour in the world 's history . '' They reached the crest of a fine hill at noon , and dismounted in the shade of three big elms . They could see small towns in the valley distances , and the profile of hilltop groves against the sky . The slopes of the hill wore the fresh green of June pasture lands ; and three colts trotted up to the fence , nickering as they came ... . Beth was staring away Westward through the glorious light .