noon
And he made as if he would turn away ; but she put forth both her hands and took his in them , and lifted up her face and kissed him kindly , and then turned away to her ferry ; while Otter stood still and said in a merry voice : Now is it better than well , for thou art in all ways what I would have thee , and there is nought like unto thee . And therewith he turned away and departed ere Birdalone had stepped into the Sending Boat , and she blushing like a rose the while . Then she did due sacrifice to the wight of the witch-ferry , and sped on her way without any hindrance . MIDST all this had worn some hours , but yet it was barely noon ; wherefore it was yet dark by then Birdalone made the Isle of the Young and the Old ; so she stepped out of the boat , and lay down on the grass and abode the dawn sleeping . And she awoke with the clatter of shrill voices , and she rose up and looked , and lo a multitude of children all about her , both men and women children , and , as it seemed , from five years old upward to fifteen . They cried and crowed merrily when they saw her stand up , and pressed on her to see her the nearer and to touch her hands or her raiment . They were but little clad , and the younger ones not at all , but were goodly younglings and merry .