the noon sun
The first frost came and the migration began in earnest . By the third day it was a hurrying tide . Tip was strangely silent that day . He did not speak until the noon sun had cleared the cold , heavy mists of morning . When he spoke it was to give a message from Chiara : `` Howard ... last report ... Goldie is dying ... pneumonia ... '' Goldie was Chiara 's mocker , his only means of communication -- and there would be no way to tell him when they were turning back . `` Turn back today , Tony , '' he said . `` Steve and I will go on for a few days more . ''