the hour of five
They discussed details of Bruce 's candidacy , they discussed the convention ; and a little later Blind Charlie departed . Bruce , fists deep in trousers pockets , paced up and down his little office , or sat far down in his chair gazing at nothing , in excited , searching thought . Billy Harper and other members of the staff , who came in to him with questions , were answered absently with monosyllables . At length , when the Court House clock droned the hour of five through the hot , burnt-out air , Bruce washed his hands and brawny fore-arms at the old iron sink in the rear of the reporter 's room , put on his coat , and strode up Main Street . But instead of following his habit and turning off into Station Avenue , where was situated the house in which he and Old Hosie ate and slept and had their quarrels , he continued his way and turned into an avenue beyond -- on his face the flush of defiant firmness of the bold man who finds himself doing the exact thing he had sworn that he would never do . He swung open the gate of the West yard , and with firm step went up to the house and rang the bell . When the screen swung open Katherine herself was in the doorway -- looking rather excited , trimly dressed , on her head a little hat wound with a veil .