four o’clock
It seemed to Noemi she could never forget that hour , that great empty church , that dark sky , that dash of rain like falling tears , that world 's outcast on the steps of the high altar , absorbed in what sublime thoughts God alone knew , and the sacristan , his enemy , who had gone to sleep on the steps of another altar , with the easy familiarity of a colleague of the Almighty . Some time elapsed , perhaps an hour , perhaps more . The church grew lighter ; the rain seemed to be stopping . It struck four o'clock . Don Clemente entered the church , followed by Maria and Giovanni who were glad to find Noemi there , for they had not known where she was . The sacristan , who knew Don Clemente , came forward . `` _ Dunque _ ?