four
o’clock before
There it ran winding before his gaze , shining brightly in the clear light , between the undulating banks on the right and the tall , tree-covered heights on the left . The spring-like atmosphere woke him to a sense of its loveliness , and for a few moments he stood looking at it , folding his hands behind his back . Then he turned and followed it toward the east side , idly seeking the ships he had seen . It was four o'clock before the waning day , with its suggestion of a cooler evening , caused him to return . He was hungry and would enjoy eating in the warm room . When he reached the flat by half-past five , it was still dark . He knew that Carrie was not there , not only because there was no light showing through the transom , but because the evening papers were stuck between the outside knob and the door .