Noon
When the hour of assembling for worship was announced by the old English clock that stood in the corner , the curtains were drawn before the windows ; two bowls of bread and milk were placed on the dresser for their dinner ; a lesson in the Testament was assigned to Emma , and one in the Catechism to Anna ; a strict injunction to remain all day in the house was laid upon both , and Mr. and Mrs. Wilson departed , locking the door , and taking the key . The children soon wiped away the tears that their hard fate had gathered in their eyes , and applied themselves to their tasks , which were speedily committed . Then the forenoon wore slowly away ; they dared not get their playthings , -- they were forbidden to go out doors , -- and the only books in the room were the Bible , Watts ' Hymns , and the Pilgrim 's Progress , which lay on the highest shelf in the room , far beyond their reach . Noon came at last ; the sun shone fully in at the south window , betokening the dinner hour , and then their dinner of bread and milk was eaten . What were they next to do ? Sorrowfully they gazed on the smiling river , the green corn-fields , the large potato-plats , the grazing cattle , the blooming flower-beds , and the shady walks which led far into the cool recesses of the forest ; and earnestly did they long for liberty to ramble out in the glorious sunshine . As they were gazing wistfully through the window , they saw their playful little kitten , Fanny , dart like lightning from her hiding-place in the garden , where she had long lain in ambush , and fasten her sharp claws in the back of a poor little ground-bird , which had been hopping from twig to twig , chirping and twittering very cheerfully .