Eight o'clock
She knew that he left it for her . She had been out and bought tea and sugar , and flour and butter , and a bit of tender steak ; and all day long a ray of light had been dancing and glimmering before her , -- a ray from the blessed light of other days . With prayer and hope she had set out the tea-table , and waited ; but the sun went down and no Tom came . Eight o'clock -- and almost nine . Hark ! The old step ! quick , strong , eager for home .