six o'clock
One November evening , when without was the thickest of London fogs , Erica was sitting at her writing table with Friskarina on her lap , and Tottie curled up at her feet , preparing for one of her science classes , when she was interrupted by the sound of a cab drawing up , speedily followed by a loud ring at the bell . `` Surely Monsieur Noirol ca n't have come already ! '' she said to herself , looking at her watch . It was just six o'clock , a whole hour before dinner time . Steps were approaching the door , however , and she was just inhospitably wishing her guest elsewhere , when to her intense amazement the servant announced `` Miss Fane-Smith . '' She started forward with an exclamation of incredulity for it seemed absurd to think of Rose actually coming to see her in her father 's house . But incredulity was no longer possible when Rose herself entered , in ulster and traveling hat , with her saucy laughing face , and her invariable content with herself and the world in general .