about four o'clock in the afternoon
But these companions kept him from being dull and lonely , and gave him besides a position of some importance in the village . For by dint of reading his books many times over , and pondering on them as he sat and cobbled , he had gained a store of wisdom , or what passed for such , and a great many long words with which he was fond of impressing the neighbours . He was also considered a fine reader , and quite a musical genius ; for although he now only played the clarionet in private , there had been a time , he told them , when he had performed in a gallery as one of the church choir . It was now about four o'clock in the afternoon , and he sat earnestly intent on making a good job of a pair of boots which had been brought to him to sole . He was also anxious to make the most of the bright spring sunshine , a stray beam of which had found its way in at his little window and helped him greatly by its cheerful presence . All at once a shadow flitted across it , and glancing up he saw a well-known figure run hurriedly in at the cottage door . `` It 's White Lilac , '' he said to himself with a smile but without ceasing his work , for Lilac was a frequent visitor , and he could not afford to waste his time in welcoming his guests .