about seven o'clock
The back of his hand was covered with blood . He saw once again the fire , low now and darkly illumined by some more distant light , heard the scream of the merry-go-round , stared about him and saw no living soul , climbed to his feet and saw the stars , then very slowly , like a blind man in the dark , felt his way to the field 's edge , found a gate , passed through and collapsed , shuddering in the hedge 's darkness . Tuesday , June 22 : III . Torchlight Joan came home about seven o'clock that evening . Dinner was at half-past seven , and after dinner she was going to the Deanery to watch the Torchlight Procession from the Deanery garden . She had had the most wonderful afternoon . Mrs. Combermere , who had been very kind to her lately , had taken her up to the Flower Show in the Castle grounds , and there she had had the most marvellous and beautiful talk with Johnny .