It was already past four o'clock, but he could not forbear, even then, to look toward the tower.
It would be like her, after all, to wave then, that very night, just so as to catch him napping, he thought.

She did not wave, however.

The boy was sure of that, for he watched the tower till dark.
"In the morning, long before eight o'clock, the boy was ready.

He debated for some time whether to stand out of doors on the piazza, or to hide behind the screened window, where he could still watch the tower.

He decided at last that it would be better not to let her see him when she looked toward the house; then his triumph would be all the more complete when he dashed out to run up his answer.
"Eight o'clock came and passed.