seven
o’clock
`` And now I must go , '' said Mr. Carlyle , after chatting a few minutes . `` The office is waiting for me , and my poor ponies are in the snow . '' `` But you 'll be sure to be home early , Mr. Carlyle , '' said Richard . `` I dare not stop here ; I must be off not a moment later than six or seven o'clock . '' `` I will be home , Richard . '' Anxiously did Richard and Barbara consult that day , Miss Carlyle of course putting in her word . Over and over again did Barbara ask the particulars of the slight interviews Richard had had with Thorn ; over and over again did she openly speculate upon what his name really was .