one o'clock
This thought brought back the bitterness of her loss . `` I can bear it better if Rorie is with us , '' she thought , `` and he is almost sure to come . He would not be so unkind as to delay bidding welcome to such poor lonely creatures as mamma and I. '' She looked at her little watch -- a miniature hunter in a case of black enamel , with a monogram in diamonds , one of her father 's last gifts . It was one o'clock already , and luncheon would be at half-past . `` Only half-an-hour for Rorie , '' she thought . The minute-hand crept slowly to the half-hour , the luncheon-gong sounded below , and there had been no announcement of Mr. Vawdrey . `` He may be downstairs with mamma all this time , '' thought Vixen .