five o'clock
The gulf between them was growing wider every day . Farfrae was always considerate to his fallen acquaintance ; but it was impossible that he should not , by degrees , cease to regard the ex-corn-merchant as more than one of his other workmen . Henchard saw this , and concealed his feelings under a cover of stolidity , fortifying his heart by drinking more freely at the Three Mariners every evening . Often did Elizabeth-Jane , in her endeavours to prevent his taking other liquor , carry tea to him in a little basket at five o'clock . Arriving one day on this errand she found her stepfather was measuring up clover-seed and rape-seed in the corn-stores on the top floor , and she ascended to him . Each floor had a door opening into the air under a cat-head , from which a chain dangled for hoisting the sacks . When Elizabeth 's head rose through the trap she perceived that the upper door was open , and that her stepfather and Farfrae stood just within it in conversation , Farfrae being nearest the dizzy edge , and Henchard a little way behind .