six
o'clock
I -- I -- '' She stopped short ; then covering her face with her apron , she ran from the room . John Ellery heard her descending the stairs , sobbing as she went . All that afternoon he remained in his chair by the window . It was six o'clock , supper time , when he entered the kitchen . Keziah , looking up from the ironing board , saw him . He was white and worn and grim , but he held out his hand to her . `` Mrs. Coffin , '' he said , `` I 'm not going away .