nine o'clock
Will wire for some to town , and also for peaches . I will leave a line with Kitty Sharston to take the head of the table at breakfast . '' `` She will be awfully cross about it all , '' thought Bertha , `` and , of course , it is a lie , for there is plenty of game in the larder , and we have an abundant supply of peaches and apricots , but any port in a storm , and cook will not betray me . '' The dogcart was round at the door sharp at nine o'clock , and Bertha , having sent up a twisted bit of paper to Kitty 's bed-room , asking her to pour out coffee , started on her way . She reached the station a little before the train came in , and sent the necessary telegrams to the shops in London with which they constantly dealt . A large party was expected to dine at Aylmer 's Court that night , which was Bertha 's excuse for ordering the fruit and game . The train was rather late , which added to her impatience .