afternoon about six o'clock
When Ethel felt blue she would go upstairs to the sunny new home that was to be hers ; and there the blithe welcome she received restored her own belief in herself . Mrs. Grewe would often lead her to talk of her home in Ohio , the eager dreams and plans of her girlhood ; and on her side , the young widow gave pictures of life in London and Paris as she had seen it so many times . They still shopped together occasionally . But one afternoon about six o'clock , as Ethel 's car drew up at the door and she and her one friend got out , Joe came along -- and with one quick angry look he hurried into the building . Quite furious and ashamed for him , Ethel turned to her companion -- but Mrs. Grewe smiled queerly and held out her small gloved hand . `` Good-bye , my dear , it has been so nice -- this afternoon and all the others . '' Her tone was a curious mixture of amused defiance and real regret .