ten o'clock
She thinks a deal of Joe , does mother , being the youngest , and always such a sort of lovin ' little chap he were . '' And here Dick 's voice broke again , and I made him go down to Mrs. Wilson , and have some refreshment before leaving , and he promised to see me again the first thing in the morning , when he had talked to his friend , the policeman . Scarcely had Dick gone , when a loud , and this time firm ring , announced another visitor , and in a cab , too , I could hear . Evidently there was no going to rest early that night , as ten o'clock was then striking . Soon , to my surprise , I heard a well-known voice , and Mary announced Dr. Loring , my husband 's old friend , of whom I have already spoken . `` Well , my dear , '' he cried , in his pleasant , cheerful voice , that in itself seemed to lift some of the heaviness from my heart , `` are you not astonished to see me at such an hour ? '' `` Astonished , certainly , '' I replied ; `` but very , very glad .