half after five
The afternoon dragged away . Dr. Ed was out `` on a case '' and might not be in until evening . Sidney sat in the darkened room and waved a fan over her mother 's rigid form . At half after five , Johnny Rosenfeld from the alley , who worked for a florist after school , brought a box of roses to Sidney , and departed grinning impishly . He knew Joe , had seen him in the store . Soon the alley knew that Sidney had received a dozen Killarney roses at three dollars and a half , and was probably engaged to Joe Drummond . `` Dr. Ed , '' said Sidney , as he followed her down the stairs , `` can you spare the time to talk to me a little while ? ''