three o'clock
All now felt that , though so very different from themselves , this aged customer was dependent on them . By not one single farthing or one pale slip of cheese would they have defrauded him for all the treasures of the moon , and any new salesman who laughed at that old client was promptly told to `` shut his head . '' Mr. Stone 's frail form , bent somewhat to one side by the increased gravamen of the osier bag , was now seen moving homewards . He arrived perhaps ten minutes before the three o'clock alarum , and soon passing through preliminary chaos , the articulate , thin fluting of his voice streamed forth again , broken by the squeaking and spluttering of his quill . But towards four o'clock signs of cerebral excitement became visible ; his lips would cease to utter sounds , his pen to squeak . His face , with a flushed forehead , would appear at the open window . As soon as the little model came in sight -- her eyes fixed , not on his window , but on Hilary 's -- he turned his back , evidently waiting for her to enter by the door .