four o'clock
The idea was an inspiration of the desperate moment . How to put it into practice he knew not , and she tried to show him that it was impracticable ; but he stuck to it as to a life-buoy . He would write to his sister -- all the ` people ' he owned apparently -- and find somebody who was going home ; and `` Is n't it time to be putting our things together ? Miss Pennycuick told us we were to be there for tea at four o'clock , if possible . '' Behold him at Redford , with his tea-cup in his hand . He was safe now from talk about the baby ; but he was also cut off from the lovely Deborah , now wandering about her extensive grounds with another young man . Old Father Pennycuick had him fast .