one o'clock
As for poor George , he followed her into the house with a heart both sick and heavy . This Berkshire farmer had a proud and sensitive nature under a homely crust . Old Merton 's words had been iron passing through his soul , and besides he felt as if everything was turning cold and slippery and gliding from his hand . He shivered with vague fears , and wished the sun would set at one o'clock and the sorrowful day come to an end . THE meal passed almost in silence ; Robinson was too hungry to say a word , and a weight hung upon George and Susan . As they were about to rise , William observed two men in the farmyard who were strangers to him -- the men seemed to be inspecting the hogs . It struck him as rather cool ; but apparently the pig is an animal which to be prized needs but to be known , for all connoisseurs of him are also enthusiastic amateurs .