noon
She lay listening and thinking . The low roar was that of human beings , and any one of its many constituents seemed difficult to distinguish . Voices -- footsteps -- movement -- music -- mirth -- dancing -- clink of gold and glasses -- the high , shrill laugh of a woman -- the loud , vacant laugh of a man -- sudden gust of dust-laden wind sweeping overhead ... all these blended in the mysterious sound that voiced the strife and agony of Benton . For hours it kept her awake ; and when she did fall asleep it was so late in the night that , upon awakening next day , she thought it must be noon or later . That day passed and another night came . It brought a change in that the house she was in became alive and roaring . Durade had gotten his establishment under way .