about noon
The driving storm had washed it clean , she hung a white curtain before it , and brought from the living room a pot of scarlet geranium , and a great sea shell , from whose mouth hung a luxuriant musk plant . Its cool fragrance filled the room , and gave an almost dainty feeling to the spotlessness of the deal furniture and the homespun linen . Before the turf fire there was a square of rag carpet , and the bits of blue and scarlet in it were pretty contrasts to the white wood of the chairs and table . The stranger was to have come about noon , but it was the middle of the afternoon when he arrived . The storm was then nearly over , and there was a glint of watery sunshine athwart the cold ; green , tossing sea . Maggie had grown anxious at his delay , and then a little cross . At two o'clock she gave a final peep into the room and said to herself , -- `` I 'll just get on wi ' my wark , let him come , or let him bide awa ' .