half past six
It was uncertain at what time he would return ; for when he rose from the tea table she had asked him what time he expected to be back , and he had replied that he could not say ; he should stop until the repairs were finished , and she was to go to bed and not bother . So at eleven o'clock she went upstairs , for once before when he had been out late and she had sat up he had been much annoyed ; but after she got in bed she lay for hours listening for the sound of the wheels . At last she fell asleep and dreamed that Ned and her husband were standing at the end of a precipice grappling fiercely together in a life and death struggle . She was awaked at last by a knocking at the door ; she glanced at her watch , which hung above her head ; it was but half past six . `` What is it , Mary ? '' `` Please , mum , there 's a constable below , and he wants to speak to you immediate . '' Mrs. Mulready sprang from the bed and began to dress herself hurriedly .