nine o'clock in the evening
Molly stole softly out of the house to tell the unusual happenings of her play hour to the sympathetic ears in Side Street . The short winter day came to a close . Darkness filled the back parlor where the forgotten Towsley had remained to enjoy his treat ; and where , at length , the heat and quietude overcame him , so that he slipped from the hard stool to the soft carpet and fell asleep . It was nine o'clock in the evening when Miss Armacost re-entered the room and touched another electric button . Instantly the place was flooded with light , and then she discovered the child . `` My , my ! what a start that gave me !