nearly seven o'clock
Neither of the sisters-in-law realized how rapidly the time was flying until dusk fell so heavily that it became necessary to light the gas in order to see each other 's faces . `` My , what time is it ? '' Helen questioned , looking at her watch . `` Why , it 's nearly seven o'clock , and I have n't telephoned to Marion yet . They 'll have the whole police force out looking for me if I do n't get her on the wire pretty soon . I 'll run over and see if that phone is repaired yet . If it is n't I 'll have to take a car and ride on to the next drug store ; but I 'll be back before very long . ''