noon
Though in the midst of timber the sun failed to penetrate , she could always see it through the branches and so gauge her line of travel . On the hillside it was easier , for the forest thinned out . Eventually she gained a considerable height , and while she failed to reach the opening seen from the Meadows , she found another that served as well . The sun warmed it , and the sun rays were pleasant to bask in , for autumn drew close , and there was a coolness in the shade even at noon . She could not see the town , but she could mark the low hills behind it . At any rate , she knew where it lay , and the way back . So she thought .