Six o'clock
The village itself lay somewhat in a hollow , the ground rising to a gentle eminence on either side . On the one eminence , to the west , was situated the station ; on the other , eastward , rose the large stone mansion , Hartledon House . The railway took a slight _ détour _ outside Calne , and was a conspicuous feature to any who chose to look at it ; for the line had been raised above the village hollow to correspond with the height at either end . Six o'clock was close at hand , and the station began to show signs of life . The station-master came out of his cottage , and opened one or two doors on the platform . He had held the office scarcely a year yet ; and had come a stranger to Calne . Sitting down in his little bureau of a place , on the door of which was inscribed `` Station-master -- Private , '' he began sorting papers on the desk before him .