eight o'clock
The perfume rose from them and spread all through the room . `` I am so glad we have work at home to-day , '' said Bel . There had been nothing but little things like these ; out into Bel 's head , as she and Aunt Blin carried home the tea-blush silk , and laid it by with care in its white box upon the sofa-end , came that little wish , with a spring and a heart-beat , -- `` If she might have it on for a minute , and if in that minute he might happen to come by ! '' She did not think she was planning for it ; but when on the Tuesday evening the step went down the stairs at eight o'clock , while they sat busily working , each at a sleeve , by the drop-light over the white-covered table , a little involuntary calculation ran through her thoughts . `` He always comes back by eleven . We shall have two hours ' work -- or more , -- on this , if we do n't hurry ; and it 's miserable to hurry ! '' They stitched on , comfortably enough ; yet the sleeves were finished sooner than she expected .