six o'clock
That was the solid conviction of his mind , and in that he had been strengthened by Mrs Baggett 's arguments . He had desired to be so strengthened , and therefore his interview had been successful . But as the minutes passed by , as every quarter of an hour added itself to the quarters that were gone , and as the hours grew on , and the weakness of evening fell upon him , all his softness came back again . They had dined at six o'clock , and at seven he declared his purpose of strolling out by himself . On these summer evenings he would often take Mary with him ; but he now told her , with a sort of apology , that he would rather go alone . `` Do , '' she said , smiling up into his face ; `` do n't let me ever be in your way . Of course , a man does not always want to have to find conversation for a young lady . ''