half past four o'clock
`` How do you do , Miss Thurston , '' said Peter Dillon , coming forward and taking her hand . `` Why -- I thought -- '' stammered Barbara , a look of keen disappointment leaping into her brown eyes , `` that Mrs. Wilson -- was -- '' `` To be here , '' finished Peter Dillon , smiling almost tantalizingly at her evident embarrassment . `` So she was , but she received a telephone message half an hour ago and was obliged to go out for a little while . I happened to be here when the message came and she told me that she expected you to call at half past four o'clock and asked me if I would wait and receive you . She left a note for you in my care . Here it is . '' Peter Dillon handed Bab an envelope addressed to `` Miss Barbara Thurston , '' looking at her searchingly as he did so .