morning, noon
He clapped his hands for joy , and thanked her many times ; and being charged to tell no person what had passed between them , gave her an earnest promise that he never would . Nor did he , so far as the child could learn ; but was her quiet companion in all her walks and musings , and never again adverted to the theme , which he felt had given her pain , although he was unconscious of its cause . Something of distrust lingered about him still ; for he would often come , even in the dark evenings , and call in a timid voice outside the door to know if she were safe within ; and being answered yes , and bade to enter , would take his station on a low stool at her feet , and sit there patiently until they came to seek , and take him home . Sure as the morning came , it found him lingering near the house to ask if she were well ; and , morning , noon , or night , go where she would , he would forsake his playmates and his sports to bear her company . ` And a good little friend he is , too , ' said the old sexton to her once . ` When his elder brother died -- elder seems a strange word , for he was only seven years old -- I remember this one took it sorely to heart . ' The child thought of what the schoolmaster had told her , and felt how its truth was shadowed out even in this infant .