eight o'clock
Sometimes he brought another boy into the rare atmosphere of the clock shop -- one , mayhap , who needed some counsel of the wise old man . Spring had come again . Every day sowers walked the hills and valleys around Hillsborough , their hands swinging with a godlike gesture that summoned the dead to rise ; everywhere was the odour of broken field or garden . Night had come again , after a day of magic sunlight , and soon after eight o'clock Trove was at the door of the tinker with a schoolmate . `` How are you ? '' said Trove , as Darrel opened the door . `` Better for the sight o ' you , '' said the old man , promptly .