six o'clock
Poor Mrs. Peggy sat frozen to her chair in terror . What on earth could she do ! Her husband was gone for the day . There was no chance for his return before six o'clock at least . `` Poor , useless body ! '' she exclaimed , `` the neighbours ' property in danger , their very lives threatened , a traitor in their midst , and me sitting here knowing it all , and not able to do anything ! '' She was so distressed at her helplessness that tears rolled down her thin cheeks .