about eight o'clock
But he did not seem wholly to understand her , and day by day , against her will , the thought gripped her more and more closely that she could not separate Jackie from his father . She would have to tell Fred the whole truth , and he would not understand it ; that she knew . But it would have to be done , and she sent round to say she 'd like to see him when he left business . Would he step round about eight o'clock ? The clock had hardly struck eight when she heard a tap at the window . She opened the door and he came in , surprised by the silence with which she received him . `` I hope nothing has happened .