eight o'clock
Her father sat in the same attitude ; the old unchanging attitude . Only his head was more bowed towards the ground . She put on her bonnet to go to Ancoats ; for see , and question , and comfort , and worship Jem , she must . As she hung about her father for an instant before leaving him , he spoke -- voluntarily spoke for the first time since her return ; but his head was drooping so low she could not hear what he said , so she stooped down ; and after a moment 's pause , he repeated the words , `` Tell Jem Wilson to come here at eight o'clock to-night . '' Could he have overheard her conversation with Sally Leadbitter ? They had whispered low , she thought . Pondering on this , and many other things , she reached Ancoats .