noon
She remembered how she had hidden behind the trees to see this young teacher run to the gate to meet the postman , and her own failure to see why these letters should bring such joy . She , with other girls , had spent a whole recess acting this scene amid peals of laughter . Now it all came back to her with new meaning , and it seemed neither strange nor amusing . She leaned her head against the open _ shoji _ and looked out into the garden , radiant and beautiful in the high noon of a perfect autumn day . The working world paused in a brief sleep and the music of the garden was hushed , while the insects sought the shadow of green leaves . Peace was within and without , save in the girl 's awakening heart . `` Ah , Sensei , '' she murmured through her trembling lips .