about half past eight
He had a vague knowledge of the vast importance of the moment , and he hesitated to speak . `` It 's almost spring again , is n't it ? And you 've been here -- '' she paused and looked up with a daring smile -- `` seems as if you 'd been here always . '' It was about half past eight . Mrs. Welsh was setting her bread in the kitchen ; they could hear her moving about . Hartley was downtown finishing up his business . Albert 's throat grew dry and his limbs trembled .