| [00:02.38] |
Our vicar is always raising money for one cause or another, but he has never managed to get enough money to have the church clock repaired. |
| [00:28.80] |
The big clock which used to strike the hours day and night was damaged many years ago and has been silent ever since. |
| [00:38.45] |
One night, however, our vicar work up with a start: the clock was striking the hours! |
| [00:46.50] |
Looking at his watch, he saw that it was one o'clock, but the bell struck thirteen times before it stopped. |
| [00:55.82] |
Armed with a torch, the vicar went up into the clock tower to see what was going on. |
| [01:02.97] |
In the torchlight, he caught sight of a figure whom he immediately recognized as Bill Wilkins, our local grocer. |
| [01:12.45] |
'Whatever are you doing up here Bill?' asked the vicar in surprise. |
| [01:17.63] |
'I'm trying to repair the bell,' answered Bill. 'I've been coming up here night after night for weeks now. You see, I was hoping to give you a surprise.' |
| [01:29.30] |
'You certainly did give me a surprise!' said the vicar. 'You've probably woken up everyone in the village as well. Still, I'm glad the bell is working again.' |
| [01:41.55] |
That's the trouble, vicar,' answered Bill. 'It's working all right, but I'm afraid that at one o'clock it will strike thirteen times and there's nothing I can do about it." |
| [01:53.87] |
We'll get used to that, Bill,' said the vicar. "Thirteen is not as good as one, but it's better than nothing. Now let's go downstairs and have a cup of tea.' |
