about noon
Then they explained to him that the unclean spirits are powerless during the daytime . Macko himself was willing to go , but it was finally arranged that Hlawa should venture , because he was a bold fellow , agreeable to all , specially to the ladies . He put an axe in his belt , and in his hand a scythe , and left . He left early in the morning and was expected to return about noon , but he did not , and they began to be alarmed . Later on , the servants were watching at the edge of the forest , and in the afternoon Wit waved his hand as a sign that Hlawa had not returned , and should he return the danger is greater for us , for God knows whether , owing to a wolf 's bite , he is not transformed into a werewolf . Hearing this , all were frightened ; even Macko was not himself . Jagienka turned toward the forest and made the sign of the cross .