four o'clock
Once or twice a curious listener might have heard him at the coals , and for the space of five minutes he was audible pacing the room . He seemed to be talking to himself . Then the armchair creaked as he sat down again . At four o'clock , when it was fairly dark and Mrs. Hall was screwing up her courage to go in and ask her visitor if he would take some tea , Teddy Henfrey , the clock-jobber , came into the bar . `` My sakes ! Mrs. Hall , '' said he , `` but this is terrible weather for thin boots ! '' The snow outside was falling faster .