Six o'clock
Below him , on the edge of the tide , children were playing ; he watched them sullenly . Lashmar disliked children ; the sound of their voices was disagreeable to him . He wondered whether he would ever have children of his own , and heartily hoped not . Six o'clock seemed very long in coming . But at length he found himself at Sunrise Terrace again , and was admitted to an ordinary lodging-house parlour , where , with tea on the table , Mrs. Woolstan awaited him . The sea air had evidently done her good ; she looked younger and prettier than when Dyce last saw her , and the tea-gown she wore became her well . `` How did you know where I was ? ''