Twilight drew near, and the Sunday's clouds began to fall on my spirits.

Between sundown and nine o'clock was a tedious interval.

I was not allowed to go to bed, nor to read a secular book, or to amuse myself with anything.

A dim oil-lamp burned on the high shelf of the middle room, our ordinary gathering-place.

Aunt Mercy sat there, rocking in a low chair; the doors were open, and I wandered softly about.