noon
Whether owing to the presence of the scowl , or to the absence of the yellow top-knot , the countenance certainly had a very unfamiliar look , and , well pleased with the effect , she turned away and stepped out upon the balcony . The day was very warm , not a breath of air found its way under the broad , striped awning that cast its grateful shadow upon the balcony ; the very water gleamed hot and desert , and the cooing of the Salute doves had the gurgling , simmering sound of a great tea-kettle . May leaned her arms upon the cushions of the stone balustrade and looked down and off toward San Giorgio . How beautiful it was , even at high noon , and how glorious it would be to-night , when the full moon came sailing up into the twilight sky , and the cool , sweet breath of evening was wafted over the waters ! What an evening it would be ! One to remember all her life , all that long , every-day kind of life that stretched so unendingly on into the future . They had gone that morning , she and Pauline , to carry the roses to the Signora Canti .