three
     o'clock
` This is for you , miss , ' the boy said . ` I was to say it was _ urgent _ . ' Bryda took from the boy 's hand a crumpled bit of paper , on which was written , -- ` Come at once to the old thorn tree half-way up the hill -- great distress , I must see you . I will be there at three o'clock . BETTY . ' The paper was so crumpled that it was hard to decipher the writing , but it was Betty 's , of that Bryda felt sure . She went hastily to the parlour .