Ten minutes after nine
She tried to read , but the words were meaningless . She picked up her needlework , but soon laid it down again , with no heart to continue . Once more she glanced at the clock . Ten minutes after nine . She thought it longer than that since it had struck the hour . She arose to attend the kitchen fire , when a loud knock upon the front door startled her . She turned back , and stood for an instant in the centre of the room .