nearly half past seven
` Mr Easton came with Freddie to see Mrs Easton , and she 's gone home again with them , ' replied Freddie , ` and -- she 's given the baby to us for a Christmas box ! ' Barrington was already familiar with the fact of Easton 's separation from his wife , and Owen now told him the Story of their reconciliation . Barrington took his leave shortly afterwards . His train left at eight ; it was already nearly half past seven , and he said he had a letter to write . Nora brought the baby in to show him before he went , and then she helped Frankie to put on his overcoat , for Barrington had requested that the boy might be permitted to go a little way with him . There was a stationer 's shop at the end of the street . He went in here and bought a sheet of notepaper and an envelope , and , having borrowed the pen and ink , wrote a letter which he enclosed in the envelope with the two other pieces that he took out of his pocketbook .