seven
o'clock
`` He should n't have gone had I been here -- he 's no business to expose himself in this way . '' `` But , mother , '' interrupted Esther , `` only think of it -- the safety of Emily and the children were depending on it -- we must n't be selfish . '' `` I know we ought n't to be , my child , '' rejoined her mother , `` but it 's natural to the best of us -- sometimes we ca n't help it . '' Five -- six -- seven o'clock came and passed , and still there were no tidings of Mr. Ellis . `` I can bear this suspense no longer , '' exclaimed Esther . `` If father do n't come soon , I shall go and look for him . I 've tried to flatter myself that he 's safe ; but I 'm almost convinced now that something has happened to him , or he 'd have come back long before this -- he knows how anxious we would all be about him .