three in
the afternoon
`` Ask him to sit down . '' Thus addressing one another in whispers , the three stepdaughters of Lady Winwood stood bewildered in their own drawing-room , helplessly confronting an object which appeared before them on the threshold of the door . The date was the 23d of December . The time was between two and three in the afternoon . The occasion was the return of the three sisters from the Committee meeting of the Sacred Concerts ' Society . And the object was Richard Turlington . He stood hat in hand at the door , amazed by his reception .