She did not attempt conversation with her son, though she occasionally cast a curious glance in his direction; he was not usually so silent.

All at once the boy started.
"What's that ?" he cried.
"La, Custer, how you startle a body! It's the town bell.

I should think you'd know; you've heard it often enough." As she spoke she glanced at the clock on the shelf in the corner of the room.

"I guess that clock's stopped again," she added, but in the silence that followed her words they both heard it tick.
The bell rang on.
"It ain't half past seven yet.

Maybe it's a fire!" said Custer.