four in the afternoon
Her eyesight was not good enough to identify the horse 's driver , but she hung breathlessly in her kitchen window and peered gaspingly out upon his boldness and daring during the whole four minutes that it took him to hitch to a clothes-pole ; and then , when the fell deed was accomplished , she watched him go in by the kitchen door , and waited , with a confidence born of a very good understanding of her neighbor 's views as to driving in and hitching , to see him cast ignominiously forth by Miss Clegg . But even that omniscience of a friend 's habits which may be acquired during a next-door residence for years sometimes fails , and Mrs. Lathrop , after an hour of more or less active bobbing in the window that commanded the best view of the rear of the house on the other side of the fence , was forced to see that the caller , whoever he might be , was not cast forth , and a further hour 's attention showed that he did not quit the premises either just before or just after dinner . When Mrs. Lathrop had quite settled the last point to her complete satisfaction and un-understanding , she decided to give up watching and to go to sleep as usual . She slept until four in the afternoon , and when she awoke and hurried to the window the horse and wagon were gone . Susan seemed gone too , for her house looked very shut up and sounded more than silent . So Mrs. Lathrop went back forthwith to her chair and slept again , and the next time she awakened it was her friend 's voice that awakened her , as the latter stood over her and demanded briskly , `` Well , did you see him ? '' `` I -- oh -- oh -- I -- '' began Mrs. Lathrop , vaguely .