midnight
The convolvulus bells were open , but Rufus and the schoolmaster still slept . Jan 's footsteps roused Rufus , who stretched himself and yawned , but Master Swift did not move , nor answer to Jan 's passionate call upon his name . And in the very peace and beauty of his countenance Jan saw that he was dead . But at what hour the silent messenger had come -- whether at midnight , or at cock-crow , or in the morning -- there was none to tell . -LSB- Picture : But at what hour ... -RSB- Master Swift 's death was a great shock to the windmiller , who was himself in frail health ; and Jan gave as much time as he could to cheering his foster-father . He had been spending an afternoon at the windmill , and the painter had been sketching the old church from the water-meadows , when they met on the little bridge near Dame Datchett 's , and strolled together to the Heart of Oak .