fall
before noon
The opposite door was open , and in it stood Eric Ericson . Robert sprang across the dividing chasm , clasped Ericson 's hand in both of his , looked up into his face , and stood speechless . Ericson returned the salute with a still kindness -- tender and still . His face was like a gray morning sky of summer from whose level cloud-fields rain will fall before noon . ` So it was you , ' he said , ` playing the violin so well ? ' ` I was doin ' my best , ' answered Robert . ` But eh !