five o'clock
After this the matter dropped . Two or three times Johnnie reminded Shade of his promise to bring the little strips back , and always he had an excuse ready for her : he had been very busy -- the metal he wanted was out of stock -- he would fix them for her just as soon as he could . With every interview his manner toward herself grew kinder -- more distinctly that of a lover . The loom-fixers and mechanics , belonging , be it remembered , to a trades-union , were out of all the mills by five o'clock . It was a significant point for any student of economic conditions to note these strapping young males sitting at ease upon the porches of their homes or boarding houses , when the sweating , fagged women weavers and childish spinners trooped across the bridges an hour after . Johnnie was surprised , therefore , one evening , nearly two weeks later , to find Shade waiting for her at the door of the mill . `` I wish ' t you 'd walk a piece up the Gap road with me , I want to have speech with you , '' the young fellow told her .