about seven o’clock
The months of March and April proved superb , and all went well with Marianne . Thus the lonely little house , nestling amid foliage , was ever joyous . Each Sunday in particular proved a joy , for the father did not then have to go to his office . On the other days he started off early in the morning , and returned about seven o'clock , ever busily laden with work in the interval . And if his constant perambulations did not affect his good-humor , he was nevertheless often haunted by thoughts of the future . Formerly he had never been alarmed by the penury of his little home . Never had he indulged in any dream of ambition or wealth .