noon
It was a long time since Caius had put to anyone the questions which his mind was constantly asking concerning Madame Le Maître . Apart from any thought of talking about the object of their mutual regard , it was a comfort to him to be in the presence of O'Shea 's wife . He felt sure that she understood her mistress better than anyone else did , and he also suspected her of a lively sympathy with himself , although it was not probable that she knew more concerning his relation to Josephine Le Maître than merely the fact that it would be hard for any man to see so much grace and beauty and remain insensible . Caius sat by this woman 's hearth , and whittled tops and boats for her children on the sunny doorstep when the days grew warm at noon , and did not expect any guerdon for doing it except the rest that he found in the proximity and occupation . Reward came to him , however . The woman eyed him with more and more kindliness , and at length she spoke . It was one day towards the end of the month , when the last film of snow had evaporated from many a field and slope , and the vivid green of grass appeared for the first time to gladden the eyes , although many an ice-wreath and snowy hollow still lay between .