noon
Chilcombe Hall was four and a half miles from Glazebrook , and there was no motor omnibus service . It was arranged , therefore , for the party to walk on the outward journey , and to return with all their parcels in a couple of taxicabs . They started after an extremely early lunch , in order to do the important business of matching embroidery silks by daylight . It had been quite a fine sunny morning , but clouded over at noon , and although no rain fell the sky was gray and cheerless . The girls did not much mind the condition of the weather so long as they could see to make their purchases . They spent a considerable time in the principal fancy-work shop of the town , and tried the patience of the assistants by demanding articles that were quite unobtainable . A visit to a stationer 's and a confectioner 's almost completed their list of requirements , and only a few extras remained to be bought .