seven o'clock
Now , as poor Christie had no one to talk to , this was rather an unnecessary speech . However , he went in very meekly , and sat down on one of the front benches . Then the congregation began to arrive ; old men and little children ; mothers with babies in their arms ; old women with shawls over their heads ; husbands and wives ; a few young men ; people with all kinds of faces , and all kinds of characters , from the quiet and respectable artisan 's wife to the poor little beggar girl who sat on the form beside Christie . And , as seven o'clock struck , the door opened and the minister came in . Christie never took his eyes off him during the whole service . And , oh ! how he enjoyed the singing , the last hymn especially !