evening about seven o'clock
Jean-Christophe forgot all his grudges against his father , and cast about to find reasons for admiring him . He admired his figure , his strong arms , his voice , his laugh , his gaiety , and he shone with pride when he heard praise of his father 's talents as a virtuoso , or when Melchior himself recited with some amplification the eulogies he had received . He believed in his father 's boasts , and looked upon him as a genius , as one of his grandfather 's heroes . One evening about seven o'clock he was alone in the house . His little brothers had gone out with Jean Michel . Louisa was washing the linen in the river . The door opened , and Melchior plunged in .