noon
Aircraft at many levels swept in uniform directions throughout the sky . The ship they were in hung quiet for a time , then rose to a higher level to join the current of transportation that flowed into the south . `` We will call it south , '' said Professor Sykes . `` The sun-glow , you will observe , is not directly overhead ; the sun is sinking ; it is past their noon . What is the length of their day ? Ah , this interesting -- interesting ! '' The certain fate they had foreseen was forgotten ; it is not often given to an astronomer to check at first hand his own indefinite observations .