four
o'clock in the afternoon
In fine , it is only to try . '' `` Unless M. d'Orbigny should answer you in a favorable manner ; and I repeat it , I do not know why , but , in spite of myself , I have hope . '' `` But already many days have elapsed , my child , since I have written , and nothing -- nothing yet . A letter put in the office before four o'clock in the afternoon , arrives the next morning at Aubiere ; five days have now passed since we might have received an answer . '' `` Perhaps he is thinking , before he writes , in what way he can be useful to us . '' `` God hear you , my child ! '' `` It appears very plain to me , mamma , if he could do nothing for us , he would have informed you at once . ''