nine o’clock
She had her plan . The new-born idea so possessed her that she could not sit or rest . It drove her out , as the gad-fly drove lo , to devious wanderings in the neighbouring lanes , and as she walked and walked , finding some little ease in the unusual and incessant exercise , she drew nearer and nearer to the Mountain Farm . As she paused on a little eminence and looked towards it , the distant church bell struck clear across the intervening fields , proclaiming nine o'clock . ` Thank the Lord , ' said the old woman . ` I can go now . I dussent go too early .