six o'clock
The Rector was late , and she had already changed her dress , and was removing the withered leaves from her prettiest plant of maidenhair , and thinking , with some concern , of the fish , when she heard his step on the gravel ; for the cook at the Rectory was rather hasty in her temper , and was apt to be provoking to her mistress next morning when the Rector chose to be late . It was a very hot day , and Mr Morgan was flushed and uncomfortable . To see his wife looking so cool and tranquil in her muslin dress rather aggravated him than otherwise , for she did not betray her anxiety about the trout , but welcomed him with a smile , as she felt it her duty to do , even when he was late for dinner . The Rector looked as if all the anxieties of the world were on his shoulders , as he came hurriedly along the gravel ; and Mrs Morgan 's curiosity was sufficiently excited by his looks to have overcome any consideration but that of the trout , which , however , was too serious to be trifled with ; so , instead of asking questions , she thought it wiser simply to remind her husband that it was past six o'clock . `` Dinner is waiting , '' she said , in her composed way ; and the Rector went up-stairs to wash his hands , half disposed to be angry with his wife . He found her already seated at the head of the table when he came down after his rapid ablutions ; and though he was not particularly quick of perception , Mr Morgan perceived , by the looks of the servant as well as the mistress , that he was generally disapproved of throughout the household for being half an hour too late . As for Thomas , he was at no pains to conceal his sentiments , but conducted himself with distant politeness towards his master , expressing the feelings of the household with all the greater freedom that he had been in possession of the Rectory since Mr Bury 's time , and felt himself more secure in his tenure than any incumbent , as was natural to a man who had already outlived two of these temporary tenants .