midnight
But to-night clouds gathered early about the sun , and presently the schoolroom grew dusky . Soon it was too dark to read , and with regret Polly shut her book . She looked at her little watch which she usually wore , the `` wedding '' gift of Colonel Gresham , and was surprised to find it to be after five . She did not put it directly back in its pocket , but held it in her hand , fingering it lovingly , thinking of David 's uncle , and then of the `` stormy midnight '' and the `` sunshiny morning '' which the little timepiece commemorated . So absorbed was she that the opening of the door caused her to start ; but she smiled when she recognized through the dimness Miss Cordelia , the younger of the two Townsend sisters who kept the school . `` My dear , '' exclaimed Miss Cordelia 's soft voice , `` I am so sorry this has happened . David Collins has been telling me how it was . ''