one before
three o'clock
She would speak out at once . She would say : `` Oh , Mr. Middleton , I 'll say good-by , for I sha n't be here when you return . '' And then she would explain briefly and he would n't have time to take it hard while she was there to witness . Returning to the table , Mr. Middleton announced with troubled face that Miss Stewart , the librarian , was ill , and he must find some one before three o'clock to take her place . He glanced at Elsie hesitatingly . `` I suppose you are tired , Elsie , dear ? '' `` Oh , no , '' she returned and added , almost unconsciously , `` Uncle John . ''