midday
They entered the wood and passed a little well , a well without apparent source or outlet and a bottom of fine white sand . How the sand had formed there , it would be impossible to say ; but there it was , and around the margin grew ferns redoubling themselves on the surface of the crystal-clear water . They left this to the right and struck into the heart of the wood . The heat of midday still lurked here ; the way was clear , for there was a sort of path between the trees , as if , in very ancient days , there had been a road . Right across this path , half lost in shadow , half sunlit , the lianas hung their ropes . The hotoo tree , with its powdering of delicate blossoms , here stood , showing its lost loveliness to the sun ; in the shade the scarlet hibiscus burned like a flame . Artu and breadfruit trees and cocoa-nut bordered the way .