eight o'clock
Could the boy have seen what was at that time occurring at Westville , he would not have been so contented , but would instead have taken the first train homeward . Let us leave Ralph for a short time and go back to Westville and see what was occurring at that place during his absence . Of course , when the boy did not return in the evening from his trip up Big Silver Lake , Mrs. Nelson was much worried over his absence . She took supper alone , after waiting until eight o'clock for him to make his appearance , and then took a walk down to the bridge where her son was in the habit of tying up . `` Have you seen anything of Ralph ? '' she asked of Dan Pickley , who sat in the office , counting his tolls for the day . `` No , '' he returned , shortly , and went on with his counting .