six o'clock in the evening
`` Yes , dear . At any rate , for some time past I have had everything I could wish for , and dear friends to care for me . But that is a very long story , Constance , and I am anxious to hear how your husband is . '' All this time the curate had been standing patiently by ; he now took his departure , after arranging to return to see Fan as far west as the City on her way home at six o'clock in the evening . Constance raised the wet curtain and led Fan into the sitting-room . It was small and mean enough , with a very low ceiling , dingy , discoloured wall-paper , and a few articles of furniture such as one sees in a working-man 's lodging . Near the front window stood a small deal table , on which were pens , ink , and a pile of closely-written sheets of paper , showing how Constance had been employed .