five o’clock
That was another time when the family suffered intensely . The children came from school and had their teas . On the hob the big black saucepan was simmering , the stew-jar was in the oven , ready for Morel 's dinner . He was expected at five o'clock . But for months he would stop and drink every night on his way from work . In the winter nights , when it was cold , and grew dark early , Mrs. Morel would put a brass candlestick on the table , light a tallow candle to save the gas . The children finished their bread-and-butter , or dripping , and were ready to go out to play .