noon
During the day the water dripped monotonously from the roofs , and damp , weary exhalations emanated from the gray walls of the houses . Toward night whitish icicles glistened everywhere in dim outline . The sun appeared in the heavens more frequently , and the brooks began to murmur hesitatingly on their way to the marsh . At noon the throbbing song of spring hopes hung tremblingly and caressingly over the village . They were preparing to celebrate the first of May . Leaflets appeared in the factory explaining the significance of this holiday , and even the young men not affected by the propaganda said , as they read them : `` Yes , we must arrange a holiday ! '' Vyesovshchikov exclaimed with a sullen grin : `` It 's time !