Eleven o'clock
Ruth took off her bonnet , and folded her shawl with her usual dainty , careful neatness , and laid them aside in a corner of the room to be in readiness . She tried to forget the pleasure she always anticipated from a long walk towards the hills , while the morning 's work went on ; but she showed enough of sympathy to make the girls cling round her with many a caress of joyous love . Everything was beautiful in their eyes ; from the shadows of the quivering leaves on the wall to the glittering beads of dew , not yet absorbed by the sun , which decked the gossamer web in the vine outside the window . Eleven o'clock struck . The Latin master went away , wondering much at the radiant faces of his pupils , and thinking that it was only very young people who could take such pleasure in the `` Delectus . '' Ruth said , `` Now , do let us try to be very steady this next hour , '' and Mary pulled back Ruth 's head , and gave the pretty budding mouth a kiss . They sat down to work , while Mrs Denbigh read aloud .