one o'clock
He had promised to see the women at the mill as early in the week as he could , and now he went thither intent on giving them advice as to their proceedings at Salisbury . It would doubtless be necessary that they should sleep there , and he hoped that they might be accommodated by Mrs. Stiggs . As he stepped out from the field path on to the lane , almost immediately in front of the mill , he came directly upon the miller . It was between twelve and one o'clock , and old Brattle was wandering about for a minute or two waiting for his dinner . The two men met so that it was impossible that they should not speak ; and on this occasion the miller did not seem to avoid his visitor . `` Muster Fenwick , '' said he , as he took the Vicar 's hand , `` I am bound to say as I 'm much obliged to ye for all y ' have done for that poor lass in there . '' `` Do n't say a word about that , Mr. Brattle . ''