Then she gave it up, and descended to the back door, to see if anyone were about who might give her news.

But the town-place was deserted by all save the ducks, the old white sow, and a melancholy crew of cocks and hens huddled under the dripping eaves of the cow-house.
Returning to her room, she settled down on the window-seat, and watched the blaze of the bonfire increase as the short day faded.
The grey became black.

It was six o'clock, and neither her father nor Mary Jane had returned.

Seven o'clock struck from the tall clock in the kitchen, and was echoed ten minutes after by the Dutch clock in the parlour below.

The sound whirred up through the planching twice as loud as usual.