five o'clock
She had heard that Brian was ill , and that Vernon had been dangerously ill ; and her heart overflowed with love and compassion for her friend . It was not easy for Mr. Jardine to leave his parish , but he would have done a more difficult thing rather than see his wife unhappy ; so on the Monday morning after that scene in the church , Ida received a telegram to say that Mr. and Mrs. Jardine were going to drive over to see her , and that they would claim her hospitality for a couple of days . It was a drive of over thirty miles , only to be done by a merciful man between sunrise and sunset . Mr. and Mrs. Jardine started at five o'clock , breakfasted and lunched on the road , and brought their faithful steed , Drummer Boy , up to the Wimperfield portico at seven in the evening , with not a hair turned . Ida was waiting for them in the portico . ` You darling , how pale and worried you look ! ' exclaimed Bessie , as she hugged her friend ; ` and why did n't you let me come before ? '