six o'clock in the morning
`` I wonder -- I wonder ! '' he said to himself . A minute later he had closed the door , and was walking in the direction of Howden Clough . It was six o'clock in the morning when he returned ; but the month being December , darkness still reigned supreme . Black clouds now covered the sky , and a wailing wind passed round the house . He turned up the electric light , and saw that his mother 's boots were placed ready for cleaning . They were covered with mud .