seven minutes before six
It was an open station , as these small stations generally are , the small waiting-rooms and offices on either side scarcely obstructing the view of the country , and the station-master looked far out in the distance , towards the east , beyond the low-lying village houses , shading his eyes with his hand from the dazzling sun . `` Her 's late this morning . '' The interruption came from the surly porter , who stood by , and referred to the expected train , which ought to have been in some minutes before . According to the precise time , as laid down in the way-bills , it should reach Calne seven minutes before six . `` They have a heavy load , perhaps , '' remarked the station-master . The train was chiefly for goods ; a slow train , taking no one knew how many hours to travel from London . It would bring passengers also ; but very few availed themselves of it .