half past one
It was well that she was , for the cold tea and tough toast of the de Tracy breakfast had little in them to warm the heart . Conversation languished during the meal , and after a walk to the stables Robinette was thankful to return to her own room again on the pretext of writing letters . There she piled up the fire , drew her chair close up to the hearth , and employed herself until noon , when she took her embroidery and joined her aunt in the drawing room . Luncheon was announced at half past one , and immediately after it Mrs. de Tracy and Miss Smeardon went to their respective bedrooms for rest . `` Are there indeed only twelve hours in the day ? '' Robinette asked herself desperately as she heard the great , solemn-toned hall clock strike two . It seemed quite impossible that it could be only two ; the whole afternoon had still to be accounted for , and how ?