eight in the evening
`` It 's nonsense , clear nonsense , tramping all over the place , hunting for a little run-away rascal , who , at this moment , is doubtless eating a comfortable meal , after having returned when he felt like it . '' When they reached the house , they were surprised to find that Max was not there . It was the first time that a party searching for the boy had returned to learn that he was still missing . Mrs. Deland had become quite used to having Max away sometimes all day , and often until after eight in the evening , and , as a rule , she was reasonably calm , but that nine o'clock should have passed without hearing from him seemed beyond belief . With the return of the searching party her courage gave way , and she sank onto a low seat , her cheeks white , and her hands tightly clenched . The women gathered about her , trying to comfort her , but she seemed not to hear what they said . How still she sat , her hands still tightly clasped , her eyes looking from one face to another .