nearly seven o'clock
Down at the station , loaded trucks were being wheeled about . Behind the hotel were the works , the sawmill ; smothered thuds and blows were heard , and more faintly the roar of the waterfall ; over everything else the shrill sound of the planks as the saw went through them . This was one of the great timber districts ; the pine-trees darkened the heights as far as one could see , and that was very far , for the valley was broad and straight . `` Dear , it is nearly seven o'clock . What has become of the horses ? '' `` I had thought of sleeping here to-night , and not starting till to-morrow morning . '' `` Sleep here , mother ? ''