about noon
`` When left behind , there were always two or three children , a great girl , an old woman , or a sick person , staying with him , until the day which set him free from his troubles . It was in the month of May . Who would not like to live like a gipsy in a wood , if all the year round was like that month of May ? It was about noon , and Edwy , who had been up before the sun , to breakfast with those who were going out for their day 's begging and stealing , had fallen asleep on a bed of dry leaves in the hut , as soon as most of the people were gone ; one old woman , who was too lame to tramp , was left with him . `` He slept long , and when he awoke he sat up on his bed of leaves , and looked about him to see who was with him ; he saw no one within the hut , and no one at the doorway . `` Little children have great dread of being alone . He listened to hear if there were any voices without , but he could hear nothing but the rush of a waterfall close by , and the distant cry of sheep and lambs .