noon sun
On the ground , cross-legged , sat Scipio , on his right . Sunny lounged full length upon the ground next to him . Sandy and Toby formed the other horn of the half-circle on the gambler 's left . It was a quaint picture upon which the warm noon sun shone down . The open grass clearing , surrounded with tall dense bushes . On one side the wash-tub and the various appurtenances of the bath , with the creek a little way beyond . And in the open , sitting alone , side by side , their little pink bodies bare of all but their coarse woolen undershirts , their little faces shining with wholesome soap , their eyes bright with expectancy for the story that was to come , the two pretty children of a lonely father .