About three in the afternoon
Her mistresses ' annoyance became displeasure , and that again subsided into serious apprehension . Even Selina ceased talking over and over the incident which gave the sole information to be arrived at ; rose , dressed , and came down to the kitchen . There , after long and anxious consultation , Hilary , observing that `` Somebody had better do something , '' began to prepare the dinner as in pre-Elizabethan days ; but the three ladies ' appetites were small . About three in the afternoon , Hilary , giving utterance to the hidden alarm of all , said -- `` I think , sisters , I had better go down as quickly as I can to Mrs. Hand 's . '' This agreed , she stood consulting with Johanna as to what could possibly be said to the mother in case that unfortunate child had not gone home , when the kitchen door opened , and the culprit appeared . Not , however , with the least look of a culprit . Hot she was , and breathless ; and with her hair down about her ears , and her apron rolled up round her waist , presented a most forlorn and untidy aspect ; but her eyes were bright , and her countenance glowing .