eight o'clock
`` I wonder who it is from , '' she said . She did not open it at once , but , tucking it into her waist , announced that she must run upstairs , in order that Mrs. Snow might come down to supper . The housekeeper did come down a few minutes later , and , as she was interested to know more about Luther Davis and his sister , the talk became animated and general . It was after eight o'clock when Mrs. Snow , having finished washing the dishes -- she allowed no one to assist her in this operation since the time when she caught Captain Jerry absent-mindedly using the dust rag instead of the dishcloth -- went upstairs to her patient . Shortly afterward Elsie came down , wearing her hat and jacket . `` I 'm going out for a little while , '' she said . `` No , I do n't want anyone to go with me .