seven o'clock
In the quarter of an hour sacred to their tea and conversation he never noticed that she was always listening for sounds beyond ; it was enough that in her presence he felt singleness of purpose strong within him . When she had gone , moving languidly , moodily away , her eyes darting about for signs of Hilary , Mr. Stone would sit down rather suddenly and fall asleep , to dream , perhaps , of Youth -- Youth with its scent of sap , its close beckonings ; Youth with its hopes and fears ; Youth that hovers round us so long after it is dead ! His spirit would smile behind its covering -- that thin china of his face ; and , as dogs hunting in their sleep work their feet , so he worked the fingers resting on his woollen knees . The seven o'clock alarum woke him to the preparation of the evening meal . This eaten , he began once more to pace up and down , to pour words out into the silence , and to drive his squeaking quill . So was being written a book such as the world had never seen ! But the girl who came so moodily to bring him refreshment , and went so moodily away , never in these days caught a glimpse of that which she was seeking .