ten
o'clock
while outside were the velvet turf of the cliffs , the plashing waves , and the silver moonlight . But the reading still went on , the gentle voice growing a little weary and monotonous , and the white eyelids falling a little heavily over the blue eyes . Long Cardo watched and gazed , and at last , turning away , he walked moodily home . He knew his father would expect him to supper at ten o'clock punctually , and hurried his steps as he approached the house . Just in time , for Betto was placing on the table an appetising supper of cawl and bread and butter , which the two men were soon discussing silently , for the Vicar was more pre-occupied than usual , and Cardo , too , was busy with his own thoughts . Suddenly the former spoke . `` Is the long meadow finished ? ''