What does this quote from Of Mice and Men mean?

Question

"Evening of a hot day started the little wind to moving among the leaves. The shade climbed up the hills toward the top. On the sand banks the rabbits sat as quietly as little gray, sculptured stones."

Now, I'm not asking you guys to do my homework, it's just that I have to explain the significance of memorable quotes in Of Mice and Men, and I always come across this one whenever I put in a search and I can't fathom what the deeper meaning is. Any help is welcome. Tks!

Answer 1

I think it is just describing a nice evening. When the warm air from a hot day begins to cool the air shifts creating a breeze. As the sun goes down in the sky it caused the shadows to appear to climb up the hillside. Some people have those concrete rabbits sitting in their yard for decoration. On this nice evening the rabbits are content to sit in the yard creating a visual effect that feels like the perfect day.

Answer 2

it isn' t a metaphor, just a very beautiful descriptive passage of "the evening of a hot day"  

as such  

the little wind was slightly moving the leaves

the sun began to go down and the rabbits were very still

Answer 3

Without context, it seems like just a beautiful description. But depending on which part of the book it's in, it could have a deeper meaning. I read Of Mice and Men, but I can't remember exactly which part of the book that was in. Good book though:)