about six o'clock
Evan made a sudden resolution that he not only would not bet with them that day but that he would pass up the poker game that night : it would show them that he had a mind of his own , even though he did want to be sociable . However , late in the afternoon he began to wonder what he would do in the evening . He almost wished the cash book would not balance before nine or ten o'clock . Nevertheless , and strange to relate , about six o'clock the big red-backed book did balance . No one was around to hear Evan exclaim : `` A first shot ! '' He was washing his hands at the tap when a key turned in the front door and Cantel came running in . `` Hurrah !