seven o'clock
They might even ask him in for a cup of coffee . He felt sure of his welcome , and the old memories were in full possession once more . The hour of return was a matter of no consequence whatever . It was then just after seven o'clock , and the October evening was drawing in with chill airs from the recesses of the forest . The road plunged straight from the railway clearing into its depths , and in a very few minutes the trees engulfed him and the clack of his boots fell dead and echoless against the serried stems of a million firs . It was very black ; one trunk was hardly distinguishable from another . He walked smartly , swinging his holly stick .