About seven o'clock
`` Perhaps I had better take the thirty-five dollars . Mother may be in want of something . '' Robert received back the sum named , and returned home , much pleased with his interview . About seven o'clock , sitting at the window of the little cottage , he saw Hester Paine opening the front gate . He sprang to his feet and opened the door . `` Good-evening , Robert , '' she said . `` Is your mother at home ? ''