noon
Fletcher was talking down at the store about a rich man who is in love with her . '' Christopher stooped to finish his drink , and then rose slowly to his full height . `` Well , one Fletcher the less will be a good riddance , '' he said harshly , as he went into the house . In the full white noon he returned to the field , working steadily on his crop until the sunset . Back and forth among the tall green plants , waist deep in their rank luxuriance , he passed with careful steps and attentive eyes , avoiding the huge `` sand leaves '' spreading upon the ground and already yellowing in the August weather . As he searched for the hidden `` suckers '' along the great juicy stalks , he removed his hat lest it should bruise the tender tops , and the golden sunshine shone full on his bared head . Around him the landscape swept like an emerald sea , over which the small shadows rippled in passing waves , beginning at the rail fence skirting the red clay road and breaking at last upon the darker green of the far-off pines .