seven o’clock
To all of this he agreed with alacrity , and retired to write a letter to his Annette , which Mr Mackenzie promised to post when he got down country . He read it to us afterwards , Sir Henry translating , and a wonderful composition it was . I am sure the depth of his devotion and the narration of his sufferings in a barbarous country , ` far , far from thee , Annette , for whose adored sake I endure such sorrow , ' ought to have touched the feelings of the stoniest-hearted chambermaid . Well , the morrow came , and by seven o'clock the donkeys were all loaded , and the time of parting was at hand . It was a melancholy business , especially saying goodbye to dear little Flossie . She and I were great friends , and often used to have talks together -- but her nerves had never got over the shock of that awful night when she lay in the power of those bloodthirsty Masai . ` Oh , Mr Quatermain , ' she cried , throwing her arms round my neck and bursting into tears , ` I ca n't bear to say goodbye to you .