eight
in the evening
How vividly I call to mind the damp about the house , the green cracked flagstones in the court , an old leaky water-butt , and the discoloured trunks of some of the grim trees , which seemed to have dripped more in the rain than other trees , and to have blown less in the sun ! At one we dined , Mr. Mell and I , at the upper end of a long bare dining-room , full of deal tables , and smelling of fat . Then , we had more tasks until tea , which Mr. Mell drank out of a blue teacup , and I out of a tin pot . All day long , and until seven or eight in the evening , Mr. Mell , at his own detached desk in the schoolroom , worked hard with pen , ink , ruler , books , and writing-paper , making out the bills -LRB- as I found -RRB- for last half-year . When he had put up his things for the night he took out his flute , and blew at it , until I almost thought he would gradually blow his whole being into the large hole at the top , and ooze away at the keys . I picture my small self in the dimly-lighted rooms , sitting with my head upon my hand , listening to the doleful performance of Mr. Mell , and conning tomorrow 's lessons . I picture myself with my books shut up , still listening to the doleful performance of Mr. Mell , and listening through it to what used to be at home , and to the blowing of the wind on Yarmouth flats , and feeling very sad and solitary .