seven o'clock
The man had succeeded in startling both women , as a matter of fact . Eleanor , looking suddenly up from her plate on hearing Mrs. Clover 's cry of surprise , saw him lounging carelessly in the hall doorway , where he had appeared as noiselessly as a shadow . His sly , satiric smile was twisting his thin lips , and a sardonic humour glittered in the pale eyes that shifted from Eleanor 's face to Mrs. Clover 's , and back again . `` I wish , '' he said , nodding to the caretaker , `` you 'd slip down to the dock and tell Eph to have the boat ready by seven o'clock . '' `` Yes , sir , '' assented Mrs. Clover hastily . She crossed at once toward the outer door . From her tone and the alacrity with which she moved to do his bidding , no less than from the half-cringing look with which she met his regard , Eleanor had no difficulty in divining her abject fear of this man whom she could , apparently , have taken in her big hands and broken in two without being annoyed by his struggles .