half after four
His blue handkerchief was spread over his knees , as was usual indoors , when it was not hanging over his head ; and he sat watching what went forward with the quiet OUTWARD glance of healthy old age , which , disengaged from any interest in an inward drama , spies out pins upon the floor , follows one 's minutest motions with an unexpectant purposeless tenacity , watches the flickering of the flame or the sun-gleams on the wall , counts the quarries on the floor , watches even the hand of the clock , and pleases itself with detecting a rhythm in the tick . `` What a time o ' night this is to come home , Hetty ! '' said Mrs. Poyser . `` Look at the clock , do ; why , it 's going on for half-past nine , and I 've sent the gells to bed this half-hour , and late enough too ; when they 've got to get up at half after four , and the mowers ' bottles to fill , and the baking ; and here 's this blessed child wi ' the fever for what I know , and as wakeful as if it was dinner-time , and nobody to help me to give her the physic but your uncle , and fine work there 's been , and half of it spilt on her night-gown -- it 's well if she 's swallowed more nor ` ull make her worse i ` stead o ' better . But folks as have no mind to be o ' use have allays the luck to be out o ' the road when there 's anything to be done . '' `` I did set out before eight , aunt , '' said Hetty , in a pettish tone , with a slight toss of her head . `` But this clock 's so much before the clock at the Chase , there 's no telling what time it 'll be when I get here . ''