noon
`` Oh , cruel , cruel sea ! '' he cried to himself , `` to rob me of my boy , and refuse to give back the poor boon of his body . '' It never came . The morning wore on to noon , the noon to night , and still the lonely watcher paced up and down . Toward night the tempest abated , and the turmoil of the sea subsided somewhat . The gray clouds broke and let through a slant mist of yellow sunshine as the sun departed , and the storm was over . Its work was done ; and as the clouds fled in ragged squadrons , the calm , untroubled stars shone out over the sea , and mocked , with their deep , unutterable peace , the aching , wretched heart of him who still kept up his lonely pacing .