Apparently, he was looking out for some one in displeasure; and, indeed, he had not stood there a minute, when a girl came flying down the road, and pushed the gate and the clerk back together.
Mr.Gum directed her attention to the church clock.

"Do you see the time, Rebecca Jones ?" Had the pages of the church-register been visible as well as the clock, Miss Rebecca Jones's age might have been seen to be fifteen; but, in knowledge of the world and in impudence, she was considerably older.
"Just gone seven and a quarter," answered she, making a feint of shading her eyes with her hands, though the sun was behind her.
"And what business have you to come at seven and a quarter?
Half-past six is your time; and, if you can't keep it, your missis shall get those that can." "Why can't my missis let me stop at night and clear up the work ?" returned the girl.

"She sends me away at six o'clock, as soon as I've washed the tea-things, and oftentimes earlier than that.

It stands to reason I can't get through the work of a morning." "You could do so quite well if you came to time," said the clerk, turning away to his walnut-tree.

"Why don't you ?" "I overslept myself this morning.