seven in the morning
And after she had helped old Anna as far as Anna would allow herself to be helped in the light housework with which she began each day , Rose went out and stood by the gate . She longed to know what news , if any , there was . But the moments went slowly by , and with the exception of a milk cart which clattered gaily along , the Close remained deserted . Half-past seven in the morning , even on a fine August day , saw a good many people still in bed in an English country town . To-day Rose Otway , having herself risen so early , was inclined to agree with Anna that English people are very lazy , and lose some of the best part of each morning . And then , as she stood out there in the sunshine , her mind reverted to Major Guthrie and to his sudden disappearance . Rose liked Major Guthrie , and she was sorry she had missed him yesterday morning , when out on her fruitless quest for money .