ten o'clock
Uncle Alfred ate his luncheon with the deliberation of a man who can not expect to renew his digestive apparatus , and the road remained empty of George Halkett and his trap . Mildred Caniper , calm now , and dressed for her journey , had many instructions for Helen concerning food , the employment of Mrs. Samson , bills to be paid , and other domestic details which at this moment lacked reality . `` And , '' she ended , `` tell Rupert not to be late . The house should be locked up at ten o'clock . '' `` Yes , '' Helen answered , but when she looked at her stepmother she could see only the distressed figure which had sat on the sofa , with hands jerking on its knee . Did she love Philip Caniper ? Had they quarrelled long ago , and did she now want to make amends ?