midday
Others from farther away came to see who had cried out , and remained to gaze fascinated at the man on the grass . Quickly the murmur spread across the Square , and from its every part men and women and children streamed towards the center of interest -- and then , when they saw , backed away slowly and fearfully , with staring eyes , from where the lone figure stood . * * * * * There was about that figure something uncanny and terrible . There , in the hot midday hush , something was happening to it which men would say could not happen ; and men , seeing it , backed away in alarm . Quickly they dispersed . Soon there were only white , frightened faces peering from behind buildings and trees . Before their very eyes the giant was growing .