the hour of seven
He lifted his hat and bowed and left the room . `` This is a most unfortunate contretemps , '' said Brooks , all trembling . `` If I had thought a little whistle , a mere _ tibia _ of ash , had power to precipitate this unlucky and unseemly belligerence I would never have opened my desk . '' The great bell upon the roof of the church swung upon its arms like an acrobat in petticoats , and loudly pealed the hour of seven . Its hammer boomed against the brassy gown , the town rang from end to end with the clamour of the curfew , and its tale of another day gone rumoured up the glens . Near at hand the air of the playground and of the street was tossed by the sound into tumultuous waves , so that even in the schoolroom the ear throbbed to the loud proclamation . Into the avenue streamed the schools of crows from their wanderings on the braes of Shira , and the children ceased their shinty play and looked up at the flying companies , and called a noisy song -- `` Crow , crow , fly away home , Your fires are out and your children gone . ''