five o'clock
Never had Will felt himself so lulled to oblivion of things external ; he forgot the progress of time , and only when Mrs. Pomfret spoke of the train she had to catch , made an effort to break the lazy spell and take his leave . On the morrow , and on the day after that , he shirked business during the afternoon , excusing himself with the plea that the heat of the shop was insufferable . He knew that neglect of work was growing upon him , and again he observed that Allchin seemed rather pleased than vexed by these needless absences . The third day saw him behind the counter until five o'clock , when he was summoned as usual to the back parlour to tea . Laying before him a plate of watercress and slices of brown bread and butter , Mrs. Allchin , a discreetly conversational young woman , remarked on the continued beauty of the weather , and added a hope that Mr. Jollyman would not feel obliged to remain in the shop this evening . `` No , no , it 's your husband 's turn , '' Will replied good-naturedly . `` He wants a holiday more than I do . ''