eight
o'clock
Cherry had spent two long hours waiting only for the sight of that eager , limping , straight-shouldered form , and Peter had experienced enough anguish as he sped to find her to tear the last deception away . To-night they talked as lovers , his arm about the soft little clinging figure , her small , firm fingers tight in his own . He had squared about on the great log that was their seat so that his ardent eyes were closer to her ; the world held nothing but themselves . It was eight o'clock . `` So this is the thing that was waiting for us all these years , Cherry , ever since the time you and Alix used to dam my brook and climb my oak trees ! '' `` I never dreamed of it ! '' Cherry said , with wonder in her tone .