eight o'clock
That was her sole glint of consolation . At six she was abroad in the house , intensely alive , intensely conscious of every particle of her body , and of every tiniest operation of her mind . In less than two hours the letter would drop into the lobby ! At half-past six both she and Florrie were dressed , and Florrie , stern with the solemnity and importance of her mission , was setting forth to the Saracen 's Head to order a cab to be at the door at eight o'clock . Hilda had much to do , for it was of course necessary to shut up the house , and the packing of her trunk had to be finished , and the trunk locked and corded , and a label found ; and there was breakfast to cook . Mrs. Lessways would have easily passed a couple of days in preparing the house for closure . Nevertheless , time , instead of flying , lagged .