noon
Then he roused himself , because he must watch what was going on . The great blocks must be properly fitted into place , and one could not trust the dusky laborers to use the care that was needed ; besides , they were getting slack , and the fresh blocks the locomotives brought would soon begin to accumulate . Since this would mean extra handling and consequent expense , the track must be kept clear . Still , Dick wished noon would come , for his head ached badly and he felt the heat as he had not felt it before . It was hard to force himself to begin again after the short mid-day rest , but he became a little more vigorous as the sun sank and the shadow of the black cordillera lengthened across the valley . After dinner , when he lounged on the veranda , the headache and lassitude returned , and he listened to Jake 's talk vacantly and soon went to bed . He knew he was not well , but while malarial fever was not unusual in the neighborhood people seldom took it in a virulent form , and as there was a good doctor at Santa Brigida he determined to consult him when he had occasion to visit the town .