six o’clock
William gave her the sense of relief , providing her at last with someone to turn to if Morel failed . But the tense atmosphere of the room on these waiting evenings was the same . The minutes ticked away . At six o'clock still the cloth lay on the table , still the dinner stood waiting , still the same sense of anxiety and expectation in the room . The boy could not stand it any longer . He could not go out and play . So he ran in to Mrs. Inger , next door but one , for her to talk to him .