noon
`` That 's so , '' answered Reuben , with his eyes fixed on the bird , -- `` but then it 's quite possible ! '' And at the low sound of their voices the bird winnowed softly away . At another time , when the children were dreaming by the Perdu , a far-off dinner-horn sounded , hoarsely but sweetly , its summons to the workers in the fields . It was the voice of noon . As the children , rising to go , glanced together across the Perdu , they clasped each other with a start of mild surprise . `` Did you see that ? '' whispered Celia .