six
o'clock
And , when she had been going to school for some years , other and more vivid interests replaced her dolls and her wonder-box ; but not her beloved case of water-colours and crayon pencils . The mother , shading the candle with her work-worn hand , looked down at the child in silence . The subdued light fell on a freckled cheek where dark lashes rested , on a slim neck and thin shoulders framed by a mass of short , curly chestnut hair . Though it was still dark , the mill whistle was blowing for six o'clock . Like a goblin horn it sounded ominously through Ruhannah 's dream . She stirred in her sleep ; her mother stole across the room , closed the window , and went away carrying the candle with her . At seven the whistle blew again ; the child turned over and unclosed her eyes .