Six o'clock
And now he was back once more , in time to be of help to her ; but Dick must go to school and the happy home must be broken up again . She sighed sadly , wondering where it all would end . In this frame of mind she returned and sat in the hall waiting for the children to come back . Six o'clock came , and there was no sign of them . The long twilight faded slowly without a sound of hoofs on the drive ; seven o'clock struck ; and she rang the bell and asked if nothing had been seen of the Corporal and the children . The answer was `` Nothing ; '' and she waited in growing anxiety , listening for the trample of the ponies or the sound of the children 's voices , but hearing only the ticking of the clock ; until unable to endure the suspense , she went out and walked first into the yard and then into the road by which they should come . The night was fine , but overcast by light clouds of grey mist , through which the moon pierced but very faintly .