four o'clock
Miss Barfoot was absent as she had announced , returning only in time for her duties in Great Portland Street on Monday morning . She and Rhoda then shook hands , but without a word of personal reference . They went through the day 's work as usual . This was the day of the month on which Miss Barfoot would deliver her four o'clock address . The subject had been announced a week ago : ` Woman as an Invader . ' An hour earlier than usual work was put aside , and seats were rapidly arranged for the small audience ; it numbered only thirteen -- the girls already on the premises and a few who came specially . All were aware of the tragedy in which Miss Barfoot had recently been concerned ; her air of sadness , so great a contrast to that with which she was wont to address them , they naturally attributed to this cause .