about ten o'clock
` If she had n't nursed mother so tenderly , ' he muttered to himself , ` I 'd turn back now ; but as she does seem to be running away from Owen , and not with him , it ` ould be creuel . ' The moon , the young May moon , arose in the heavens , and the farmer quickened his pace , for he knew the road , and that he was a good way from an inn , or , indeed , from any habitation where he could ask a night 's lodging . Lights peeped out , one by one , from the cottages as he passed , and when he glanced into them , and saw the cheerful little fires , he thought more compassionately of Gladys , and wondered whether she had found food and lodging for the night . He was within a mile of a small village that he knew very well , when it was about ten o'clock . The wind blew rather keenly , and he buttoned up his great-coat , and began to whistle , by way of keeping himself warm . ` Come , old girl ! we shall soon have something to eat !