seven o’clock
I 'm big enough and strong enough to take my own part ; and Jemmy , he 's always by to help me when I ca n't . May I come back , if you please , sir , this evening ; and say -- and say ? -- '' She would have added , `` and say good-bye ; '' but the thoughts which now gathered round that one word , made it too hard to utter . She silently curtseyed her thanks for the warm invitation that was given to her to return ; stooped down to the child ; and , kissing her , wrote on the slate , `` I shall be back , dear , in the evening , at seven o'clock '' -- then disengaged the little hands that still held fast by her gown , and hurried from the garden , without once venturing to look behind her as she crossed the sunny lawn . Mrs. Joyce , and the young ladies , and the rector , all tried their best to console little Mary ; and all failed . She resolutely , though very gently , resisted them ; walking away into corners by herself , and looking constantly at her slate , as if she could only find comfort in reading the few words which Mrs. Peckover had written on it . At last , Mr. Blyth took her up on his knee .