eight o'clock
A black wave of fear enveloped Mary McAdam . She was overcome by a certainty of evil , and , when Farwell 's boat had disappeared , she strode to the Green and gave vent to her anxiety . There were those who comforted , those who jeered , but the men were largely away on fishing business , and the women and boys were more interested in her excitement than they were in her cause for fear . It was eight o'clock and very dark when Doctor Ledyard , driving down from Far Hill Place for the mail , paused to listen to Mrs. McAdam 's expressions of anxiety . Young Dick Travers was beside him , and Mary 's words held him . `` Was Jerry-Jo with your boys , Mrs. McAdam ? '' he asked .