eleven o'clock
In the brief space between , the reapers were being put into shape for the cutting of the grain . That morning , while the biggest and the youngest brothers were repairing the broken rakes of a dropper , the eldest had sharpened the long saw-knife , aided by the little girl , whom he compelled to turn the squeaking grindstone . They had begun early , working under the tool-shed , and for hours the little girl had labored wearily at the winch-handle , with only an occasional rest . By eleven o'clock her arms were so tired that she could scarcely go on , and she became rebellious . Perhaps it was not only her fatigue , but the fact that `` David Copperfield '' had arrived the day before and was awaiting her temptingly in the sitting-room , that caused her , in a cross though not malicious moment , to give the circling handle such a whirl that the reaper blade was jerked violently forward ; and , as it bounded and sang against the stone , it cut a gash in the eldest brother 's hand . The swallows nesting under the roof of the shed saw the little girl suddenly run toward the house , followed by the irate eldest brother , who carried a basin of water . The two disappeared into the entry , the little girl leading .