Four o'clock
And yet it was being used to coerce one useless old woman into taking a job ! Marya Proderenska lay flat on the floor , her arms outstretched . Thus one might gather the vital energies . Four o'clock was not many hours distant , and by four o'clock she would need all of the energy she could summon . She did not allow herself to become doubtful about the outcome . And yet she was afraid . * * * * * Gloria smiled understandingly at the woman who sat across the desk .