noon
Hard by our cottage , but quite out of sight , and -LRB- if there were any wind astir -RRB- of hearing too , was a deep sheet of water . I spent days in shaping with my pocket-knife a rough model of a boat , which I finished at last and dropped in the child 's way . Then I withdrew to a secret place , which he must pass if he stole away alone to swim this bauble , and lurked there for his coming . He came neither that day nor the next , though I waited from noon till nightfall . I was sure that I had him in my net , for I had heard him prattling of the toy , and knew that in his infant pleasure he kept it by his side in bed . I felt no weariness or fatigue , but waited patiently , and on the third day he passed me , running joyously along , with his silken hair streaming in the wind , and he singing -- God have mercy upon me ! -- singing a merry ballad , -- who could hardly lisp the words .