five o'clock
During his meditations he heard , and saw indistinctly , through the shrubbery that fenced the lawn from the drive , a mounted man ride up to the Rectory door . He supposed it was some message , and held himself in readiness to be called into the house , but after a minute or two he heard the man ride off again down the drive into the village . At dinner he mentioned it to his wife , who answered rather shortly that it was a message for her ; and he let the matter drop for fear of giving offence ; he was terrified at the thought of provoking more quarrels than were absolutely necessary . Soon after dinner he put on his cap and gown , and to his wife 's inquiries told her where he was going , and that after he had seen Mr. Norris he would step on down to Comber 's , where was a sick body or two , and that she might expect him back not earlier than five o'clock . She nodded without speaking , and he went out . She watched him down the drive from the dining-room window and then went back to her business with an odd expression . Mr. Norris , whom he found already seated at his books again after dinner , took him out when he had heard his errand , and the two began to walk up and down together on the raised walk that ran along under a line of pines a little way from the house .