noon
The tumult of the market-place at length died away , and Domini was conscious of a curious , far-off murmur . At first it was so faint that she was scarcely aware of it , and merely felt the soothing influence of its level monotony . But as they walked on it grew deeper , stronger . It was like the sound of countless multitudes of bees buzzing in the noon among flowers , drowsily , ceaselessly . She stopped under a low mud arch to listen . And when she listened , standing still , a feeling of awe came upon her , and she knew that she had never heard such a strangely impressive , strangely suggestive sound before . `` What is that ? ''