About seven o’clock
The long working-day was coming to an end , and the day 's weariness and satiety were forgotten , and the mind looked forward -- filling with thoughts of the sand-hills or the woods , wandering down a road that was bright with pleasure . Now and again a neighbor would step in , and while away the time with his gossip ; something or other had happened , and Master Andres , who was so clever , must say what he thought about it . Sounds that had been confused during the day now entered the workshop , so that those within felt that they were participating in the life of the town ; it was as though the walls had fallen . About seven o'clock a peculiar sound was heard in the street without , approaching in very slowly _ tempo ; _ there was a dull thump and then two clacking sounds ; and then came the thump again , like the tread of a huge padded foot , and once more the clack-clack . This was old Bjerregrav , swinging toward the workshop on his crutches ; Bjerregrav , who moved more slowly than anybody , and got forward more quickly . If Master Andres happened to be in one of his bad humors , he would limp away , in order not to remain in the same room with a cripple ; at other times he was glad to see Bjerregrav . `` Well , you are a rare bird , are n't you ? ''