six o'clock
`` Hm ! ... I am sorry for him , though . '' It was , in short , the expression of the very natural and intelligible grief of a young and interesting wife for the loss of her husband . I took her home at last , soothed her , and after dining with her and drinking a cup of aromatic coffee , set off at six o'clock to Timofey Semyonitch , calculating that at that hour all married people of settled habits would be sitting or lying down at home . Having written this first chapter in a style appropriate to the incident recorded , I intend to proceed in a language more natural though less elevated , and I beg to forewarn the reader of the fact . The venerable Timofey Semyonitch met me rather nervously , as though somewhat embarrassed . He led me to his tiny study and shut the door carefully , `` that the children may not hinder us , '' he added with evident uneasiness .