eleven o'clock
He came slowly up to the open door , which was all hung round with clematis and roses ; and then peeped in , half afraid . And there sat by the empty fireplace , which was filled with a pot of sweet herbs , the nicest old woman that ever was seen , in her red petticoat , and short dimity bedgown , and clean white cap , with a black silk handkerchief over it , tied under her chin . At her feet sat the grandfather of all the cats ; and opposite her sat , on two benches , twelve or fourteen neat , rosy , chubby little children , learning their Chris-cross-row ; and gabble enough they made about it . Such a pleasant cottage it was , with a shiny clean stone floor , and curious old prints on the walls , and an old black oak sideboard full of bright pewter and brass dishes , and a cuckoo clock in the corner , which began shouting as soon as Tom appeared : not that it was frightened at Tom , but that it was just eleven o'clock . All the children started at Tom 's dirty black figure , -- the girls began to cry , and the boys began to laugh , and all pointed at him rudely enough ; but Tom was too tired to care for that . `` What art thou , and what dost want ? '' cried the old dame .