six o'clock in the afternoon
Their approbation had quickened her spirit to put forth fresh effort . She felt as though she could remove mountains if they happened to rise suddenly in her path . And in this state of mental exhilaration she ran up the steps of Harlowe House and , after a second 's fumbling with her latchkey , let herself in . It was almost six o'clock in the afternoon , and the darkness of early January had settled down upon the landscape . A wet , discouraging snow , which made the streets a slush-covered menace to pedestrians , was falling , and Grace gave a soft sigh of satisfaction as she stepped into the cheery , well-lighted hall . Knowing that she was quite likely to find Emma in her room she hurried up the stairs . Her hand was on the door knob when she heard what sounded suspiciously like a sob .