seven o'clock
But she sat at the window with no desire for oblivion . On the lawn paced a young man with a rifle in the crook of his arm . He was tall and young and very gallant of bearing ; no less a person than Mortimer Dwight , who had been sworn in that morning as a member of the Citizens ' Patrol , and at his own request detailed to keep watch over the house of Mrs. Groome . He had not been able to pay his promised visits during the day but had arrived at seven o'clock , dining beside Mrs. Abbott , and surrounded by old ladies whose names were as historic as Mrs. Groome 's . The cook had deserted after the second heavy shock , and , with her wardrobe in a pillow case , had tramped to the farthest confines of the Presidio . It was not fear alone that induced her flight . There was a rumor that the Government would feed the city , and why should not a hard-working woman enjoy a month or two of sheer idleness ?