one o'clock
Anything -- any life of duty in the world , rather than that living death . '' She was in the garden next morning at six , after a sleepless night , and she occupied herself till noon in going about among the cottagers carrying those small comforts which she had been in the habit of taking them , and listening patiently to those various distresses which they were very glad to relate to her . She taught the children , and read to the sick , and was able in this round of duties to keep her thoughts from dwelling too persistently upon her own trouble . After the one o'clock dinner , at which she offended old Reuben by eating hardly anything , she went for a woodland ramble with her dogs , and it was near sunset when she returned to the house , just in time to see two road-stained horses being led away from the hall door . Sir John had come home . She found him in the dining parlour , sitting gloomy and weary looking before the table where Reuben was arranging a hasty meal . `` I have eaten nothing upon the road , yet I have but a poor stomach for your bacon-ham , '' he said , and then looked up at his daughter with a moody glance , as she went towards him .