noon
The children did not scuffle through the banks of leaves , or jump and run and burst into play as they were used to doing . They walked steadily forward , saying very little , neither hurrying nor delaying their steps . Once when Eric 's sandal came untied Ivra knelt to fix it , for she was still more skillful with knots than he . But when the sun showed that it was noon , Ivra 's steps grew slower and slower , dragged and dragged , until at last she stood still in a billow of leaves . `` I have to go back now , '' she said . In a flash all the magic swept out of the day for Eric . He knew he could never say good-by to Ivra , so he stayed silent , looking ahead into the fluttering , golden forest .