about four o'clock in
the afternoon
Unless I wanted to be bundled back to Oban I must make good speed to the Arisaig coast . Presently the road fell to a gleaming sea-loch which lay like the blue blade of a sword among the purple of the hills . At the head there was a tiny clachan , nestled among birches and rowans , where a tawny burn wound to the sea . When I entered the place it was about four o'clock in the afternoon , and peace lay on it like a garment . In the wide , sunny street there was no sign of life , and no sound except of hens clucking and of bees busy among the roses . There was a little grey box of a kirk , and close to the bridge a thatched cottage which bore the sign of a post and telegraph office . For the past hour I had been considering that I had better prepare for mishaps .