five minutes past nine
Miss Murgatroyd was scandalised ! She took to her bed forthwith , expecting Miss Eliza and Miss Susannah to follow her example -- in the spirit , if not to the letter . But , released from Amelia 's personal supervision , romantic little Susie led Eliza astray ; and the two took a furtive and fearful joy in seeing all they could of the `` goings on '' of the couple who had boldly converted the prosaic Cornish hotel into a land of excitement and romance . From the moment when on the morning after their adventure , Myra , with yellow roses in the belt of her white gown , had swept into the coffee-room at five minutes past nine , saying : `` My dear Jim , have I kept you waiting ? I hope the coffee is not cold ? '' -- all life had seemed transformed to Miss Susie . Turning quickly , she had caught the look Jim Airth gave to the lovely woman who took her place opposite him at his hitherto lonely table , and , still smiling into his eyes , lifted the coffee-pot .