noon
It was too tender . It was mournful . I would rather he had been abrupt , whimsical , and irate as was his wont . When hot noon arrived -- for the day turned out as we had anticipated , glowing as June -- our shepherd collected his sheep from the pasture , and proceeded to lead us all softly home . But we had a whole league to walk , thus far from Villette was the farm where he had breakfasted ; the children , especially , were tired with their play ; the spirits of most flagged at the prospect of this mid-day walk over chaussées flinty , glaring , and dusty . This state of things had been foreseen and provided for . Just beyond the boundary of the farm we met two spacious vehicles coming to fetch us -- such conveyances as are hired out purposely for the accommodation of school-parties ; here , with good management , room was found for all , and in another hour M. Paul made safe consignment of his charge at the Rue Fossette .