six o'clock
There was the little church , in the morning , with the green leaves fluttering at the windows : the birds singing without : and the sweet-smelling air stealing in at the low porch , and filling the homely building with its fragrance . The poor people were so neat and clean , and knelt so reverently in prayer , that it seemed a pleasure , not a tedious duty , their assembling there together ; and though the singing might be rude , it was real , and sounded more musical -LRB- to Oliver 's ears at least -RRB- than any he had ever heard in church before . Then , there were the walks as usual , and many calls at the clean houses of the labouring men ; and at night , Oliver read a chapter or two from the Bible , which he had been studying all the week , and in the performance of which duty he felt more proud and pleased , than if he had been the clergyman himself . In the morning , Oliver would be a-foot by six o'clock , roaming the fields , and plundering the hedges , far and wide , for nosegays of wild flowers , with which he would return laden , home ; and which it took great care and consideration to arrange , to the best advantage , for the embellishment of the breakfast-table . There was fresh groundsel , too , for Miss Maylie 's birds , with which Oliver , who had been studying the subject under the able tuition of the village clerk , would decorate the cages , in the most approved taste . When the birds were made all spruce and smart for the day , there was usually some little commission of charity to execute in the village ; or , failing that , there was rare cricket-playing , sometimes , on the green ; or , failing that , there was always something to do in the garden , or about the plants , to which Oliver -LRB- who had studied this science also , under the same master , who was a gardener by trade , -RRB- applied himself with hearty good-will , until Miss Rose made her appearance : when there were a thousand commendations to be bestowed on all he had done . So three months glided away ; three months which , in the life of the most blessed and favoured of mortals , might have been unmingled happiness , and which , in Oliver 's were true felicity .