ten o'clock
Persis ' absorption was penetrated now and then by references to the miracles wrought by scientific spraying and pruning , or the possibility of heating orchards so that late frosts would no longer have terrors for the fruit grower , sober facts which the literature of the Apple of Eden Investment Company had enveloped in the rosy atmosphere of romance . Like many people who have never made money by hard work , Joel believed profoundly in making it by magic . His pallid face flushed feverishly , and his eyes glittered as he discussed the possibility of making a thousand dollars double itself in a year . It was ten o'clock when Thomas again had the field to himself and in Clematis only sentimental visits were prolonged beyond that hour . Thomas ' opportunity had arrived , but with it unluckily had come the recollection of a misdeed for which he must receive absolution before the flood-gates of his heart were opened . `` Persis , do you remember that old Baptist minister who lived opposite the schoolhouse when we were kids ? Elder Buck , everybody called him . ''