three o'clock
The bombs had not exploded . Word came in that by back roads and devious paths the most rabid of the agitators were leaving town . And before two o'clock Howard Cardew and some of the others went home to bed . At three o'clock the Cardew doorbell rang , and Howard , not asleep , flung on his dressing gown and went out into the hall . Lily was in her doorway , intent and anxious . `` Do n't answer it , father , '' she begged . `` You do n't know what it may be . ''