six o’clock
She began to look out for the postman again . Three mornings later he brought an inland letter from Stephen . It contained very little matter , having been written in haste ; but the meaning was bulky enough . Stephen said that , having executed a commission in Liverpool , he should arrive at his father 's house , East Endelstow , at five or six o'clock that same evening ; that he would after dusk walk on to the next village , and meet her , if she would , in the church porch , as in the old time . He proposed this plan because he thought it unadvisable to call formally at her house so late in the evening ; yet he could not sleep without having seen her . The minutes would seem hours till he clasped her in his arms . Elfride was still steadfast in her opinion that honour compelled her to meet him .