noon
On the last day you were so much excited at the prospect of reunion with her , that you went to your task in the woods almost fasting , and probably after spending a restless night . Tell me if this is not so ? '' `` I did not sleep that night , '' I replied , somewhat huskily . `` Unrefreshed by sleep and with lessened strength , '' he continued , `` you went to the woods , and in order to allay that excitement in your mind , you labored with such energy that by noon you had accomplished a task which , in another and calmer condition of mind and body , would have occupied you more than one day . In thus acting you had already been guilty of a serious offense against yourself ; but even then you might have escaped the consequences if , after finishing your work , you had rested and refreshed yourself with food and drink . This , however , you neglected to do ; for when you had fallen insensible to the earth , and Yoletta had called the dog and sent it to the house to summon assistance , the food you had taken with you was found untasted in the basket . Your life was thus placed in great peril ; and although it is good to lay life down when it has become a burden to ourselves and others , being darkened by that failure of power from which there is no recovery , wantonly or carelessly to endanger it in the flower of its strength and beauty is a great folly and a great offense .