seven o'clock
But as I rose to go and she saw that I was leaving her , she began immediately a loud , almost hysterical barking , interspersed with little piteous moans and whimpers which were most painful to hear . I did not know what to do , so I began to cry myself , and then I knelt down beside her and began again my useless effort to release her . The sun by now was sinking low , although there would be light for an hour or two yet . I guessed that it must be seven o'clock , and I knew that my grandmother would be uneasy about me , and that presently my grandfather would have to be told , and the whole household would be anxious . What was I to do ? I could not even think that they would come this way looking for me , since they had not known of my intention of coming home by Daly 's Wood and the postern . I was in the greatest perplexity and distress , and I never was so glad in my life as when I heard a shout close at hand .