seven in the evening
She went home , how she never knew ; and without the delay of a moment packed up a change of linen , and fed the fowls and took the key of the hut down to old Jehan 's cabin . The old man was only half-witted by reason of his affliction for his dead daughter , but he was shrewd enough to understand what she wanted of him , and honest enough to do it . `` I am going into the city , '' she said to him : `` and if I am not back to-night , will you feed the starling and the hens , and water the flowers for me ? '' Old Jehan put his head out of his lattice : it was seven in the evening , and he was going to bed . `` What are you after , little one ? '' he asked : going to show the fine buckles at a students ' ball ? Nay , fie ; that is not like you . ''