noon
She even caught up Maurice in her arms , and said it was a direct flying in the face of Providence to let so sweet an angel go forth to meet `` certain destruction . '' But as her vehement words were only understood by one , and by that one very imperfectly , they had unfortunately little result . The cottage was small , close , and very uncomfortable , and the children were glad to get on their way . Soon after noon they reached the old town of Caen . They had walked on for two or three miles by the side of the river Orne , and found themselves in old Caen before they knew it . Following strictly Cecile 's line of action , the children had hitherto avoided all towns -- thus , had they but known it , making very little real progress . But now , attracted by some washer-women who , bitter as the day was , were busy washing their clothes in the running waters of the Orne , they got into the picturesque town , and under the shadow of the old Cathedral .