noon
I can not endure her -- '' `` Well , then , what ? -- '' `` No , but what will you ? I like their songs , their chapels , their houses , everything -- I can not explain that to you -- Anyway , boys do not understand anything -- '' The little smile with which she said this was at once extinguished , changed into a contemplative expression or an absent expression , which Ramuntcho had often seen in her . She looked attentively in front of her , although there were on the road only the leafless trees , the brown mass of the crushing mountain ; but it seemed as if Gracieuse was enraptured in melancholy ecstasy by things perceived beyond them , by things which the eyes of Ramuntcho could not distinguish -- And during their silence the angelus of noon began to ring , throwing more peace on the tranquil village which was warming itself in the winter sun ; then , bending their heads , they made naively together their sign of the cross -- Then , when ceased to vibrate the holy bell , which in the Basque villages interrupts life as in the Orient the song of the muezzins , Ramuntcho decided to say : `` It frightens me , Gatchutcha , to see you in their company always -- I can not but ask myself what ideas are in your head -- '' Fixing on him the profound blackness of her eyes , she replied , in a tone of soft reproach : `` It is you talking to me in that way , after what we have said to each other Sunday night ! -- If I were to lose you , yes then , perhaps -- surely , even ! -- But until then , oh ! no -- oh !