six o'clock
Sing Sing , the cook , was more than ordinarily alert ; but Sing Sing , the cook , was not much trusted . Mrs. Growler was `` as good as the Bank , '' as far as that went , having lived with old Mr. Daly when he was prosperous ; but she was apt to be downhearted , and on the present occasion was more than usually low in spirits . Whenever Mrs. Heathcote spoke , she wept . At six o'clock she came into the parlor with a budget of news . Sing Sing , the cook , had been gone for the last half hour , leaving the leg of mutton at the fire . It soon became clear to them that he had altogether absconded . `` Them rats always does leave a falling house , '' said Mrs. Growler .