four o'clock
Nellie had gone to the vicarage to help Mrs. Ambrose with some work she had in hand for her poor people , but Mrs. Goddard had a slight headache and had stayed at home in consequence . The weather was very bad ; heavy clouds were driving overhead and the north-east wind howled and screamed through the leafless oaks of the park , driving a fine sleet against the cottage windows and making the dead creepers rattle against the wall . It was a bitter January day , and Mrs. Goddard felt how pleasant a thing it was to stay at home with a book beside her blazing fire . She was all alone , and Nellie would not be back before four o'clock . Suddenly a well-known step echoed upon the slate flags without and there was a ring at the bell . Mrs. Goddard had hardly time to think what she should do , as she laid her book upon her knee and looked nervously over her shoulder towards the door . It was awkward , she thought , but it could not be helped .