noon
the boy said under his breath . Life in him at that moment was one big heavy throbbing through all his being , full of mysterious powers unknown , of which Death was the least -- yet , coming as he did a great shadow upon the feeblest , a terrible and awe-striking power beyond the strength of man to understand . After this night , so full of emotion , there came certain days which passed without sign or mark in the dim great house looking out upon all the lively sights and sounds of the great park . The sun rose and reddened the windows , the noon blazed , the gray twilight touched everything into colour . In the chamber which was the centre of all interest no one knew or cared how the hours went , and whether it was morning or noon or night . Instead of these common ways of reckoning , they counted by the hours when the doctor came , when the child must have his medicine , when it was time to refresh the little cot with cool clean linen , or sponge the little hot hands . The other attendants took their turns and rested , but Lucy was capable of no rest .