half past
twelve
The flowing water had a great charm for her ; the bank was smooth and green ; she wandered along till she came to what she called a nice place , where a young willow hung over and dipped its long branches in , and the bank offered a soft shady seat . Matilda sat down , and felt very lonely . But glimpses taken through the trees and shrubbery shewed her nobody near or far , except the servants ; and Matilda resolved to be quiet and wait for better things by and by . She looked at her watch ; it was half past twelve . I am bound to confess it was a good half hour more before Matilda could get the better of a desperate fit of disappointment and vexation . She had not counted upon spending her holiday in this manner ; and slights and unkindness are pleasant to nobody . There is something in use , however , and more in a quiet mind .