noon
There was no change in the outer performance of the hours , but Mata remained alert , disturbed , and the girl tranquilly oblivious . The old face searching with keen eyes the young noted with troubled frown the frequent smile , the intervals of listless dreaming , the sudden starts , as by the prick of memory still new , and dipped in honey . There seemed to be in Umè-ko a gentle yearning for a human presence , though , to speak truly , Mata could not be certain that she was either heard or seen for fully one half of the time . The hour had almost reached the shadowless one of noon . Umè-ko 's work was done . She had taken up her painting , only to put it listlessly to one side . The pretty embroidery frame met the same indignity .