nearly three o'clock
The dressmaking work went on as usual after dinner . Andrew had disappeared , going down the road towards the shop . He tried for a job at Briggs 's , with no success , then drifted to the corner grocery . Ellen sat until nearly three o'clock sewing . Then she went up-stairs and got her hat , and went secretly out of the back door , through the west yard , that her mother should not see her . However , her grandmother called after her , and wanted to know where she was going . `` Down street , on an errand , '' answered Ellen .