six o'clock
So it was that Huldah had got safely home without being overtaken , and once within that cosy kitchen felt herself safe from all danger . She little dreamed that at that moment the three persons she feared most in the world were starting out from Belmouth in search of her . Poor Huldah ! It was six o'clock and quite dark by the time the trio , and Charlie and the van , reached Wood End ; and many a time before they got there Bob Thorp would have thrown up the job , if he had not wanted the money so badly . For the whole of the four miles Tom Smith grumbled , bullied his wife , beat Charlie , and snapped and snarled at everyone and everything . `` I do n't wonder at anybody 's running away from you , '' remarked Bob at last , losing all patience . `` If I was your wife I 'd do the same . ''