about four o'clock
A merry nod to the friend who staggers on beneath his burden ; and , even at his last gasp , the friend shall try to nod merrily back again . He took leave of her at the station , saying that he meant to walk by the river homeward . A foolish scruple , which would never have occurred to him but for Alma 's jealousy . When he reached his house at about four o'clock , he felt very tired ; it was a long time since he had walked so far . Using his latch-key to enter , he crossed the hall to the study without seeing anyone or hearing a sound . There was a letter on his table . As he opened it , and began to read , the door -- which he had left ajar -- was pushed softly open ; there entered Hughie , unusually silent , and with a strange look in his bright eyes .