About five in the afternoon
No less than four cyclists stopped to make a meal . Mr. Ruddiman was able to supply them with cold beef and ham ; moreover , he cooked eggs , he made tea -- and all this with a skill and expedition which could hardly have been expected of him . None the less did he think constantly of Miss Fouracres . About five in the afternoon wheels sounded ; aproned and in his shirt-sleeves , he ran to the door -- as he had already done several times at the sound of a vehicle -- and with great satisfaction saw the face of his hostess . She , too , though her eyes showed she had been weeping long , smiled with gladness ; the next moment she exclaimed distressfully . ` Oh , sir ! To think you 've been here alone all day !