seven o'clock in the
evening
The Sergeant groaned . `` If you can do anything for Mrs. Lawrence , '' he said , `` or the boy -- '' `` I 'll do it , '' valiantly replied Mrs. McGillicuddy , and straightway put her good words into effect . Lawrence had then been missing five days . It was seven o'clock in the evening , and Mrs. McGillicuddy had already put the After-Clap to bed when she started for Mrs. Lawrence 's quarters . There was no one to open the door , and Mrs. McGillicuddy walked unceremoniously into the little sitting-room , where the boy sat , silent and lonely and frightened , by the window . Mrs. McGillicuddy spoke a cheery word to him , and then passed into the bedroom beyond . The light was dim but she could see Mrs. Lawrence lying , fully dressed , on the bed .