noon
Oh , is n't it just lovely ! '' Indeed , a more auspicious start -- barring the little delay caused by the twins -- could not have been provided . The day was one of those balmy ones in June , when it is neither too hot nor too blowy , when the breeze seems fairly laden with the sweet scent of flowers , and the lazy hum of bees mingles with the call of birds . The way led out along a pleasant country road , which , for some distance , wound in and out among great maples that formed a leafy shade which might be most acceptable later in the day , since there was the promise of considerable heat at noon . As yet it was early , a prompt enough start having been made to allow of an easy pace along the road . `` For , '' Betty had said in reviewing the procedure to be followed , `` we do n't want to tire ourselves out on the first stage of our trip . We ought to begin gradually .