ten o'clock
Six bullocks and sixteen horses drew the large plough , and Dominic Le Mierre was captain of the team . He looked his very best , for the work drew out the strength and will of the man . The pose of his body , the skill of his movements , the carriage of his head , marked him as the typical worker of the fields , a very king of farmers . His energy and vitality inspired the other men , and no one could believe it was time for _ mi-matin _ when ten o'clock chimed out from the church behind the cliffs . But when the spell of work was broken , the men found they were very hungry , and fell upon the bread and butter , cheese and strong coffee , with tremendous appetites . These good things were brought down in large baskets from Orvillière ; and the men scattered in little groups as they ate and drank , discussed farming , or looked out over the wide sea just beyond the field , and wondered if fishing would pay this year . Suddenly Le Mierre gave the call for a return to work , and again the glorious ploughing went forward till noon .