the hour of twelve
But then Barry entered , and noisily claimed Nettie 's promise . And without a cloud crossing her sweet brow , she made the cakes , and baked them on the stove , and served Barry until he had enough ; nor ever said how weary she was of being on her feet . There were some cakes left , and Mrs. Mathieson saw to it that Nettie sat down and ate them ; and then sent her off to bed without suffering her to do anything more ; though Nettie pleaded to be allowed to clear away the dishes . Mrs. Mathieson did that ; and then sat down to make darns and patches on various articles of clothing , till the old clock of the church on the hill tolled out solemnly the hour of twelve all over the village . Nettie 's room was the only room on that floor besides her mother 's and Barry 's . It was at the back of the house , with a pleasant look-out over the trees and bushes between it and the spring . Over these the view went to distant hills and fields , that always looked pretty in all sorts of lights , Nettie thought .