nine o'clock
And it 's all about those blessed Five Sisters they 've come , though I told 'em you ca n't nohow be worrited and ca n't see no one -- '' `` But I can ! '' said Maryllia decisively ; `` I can see anyone who wishes to see me , and I will . Let me pass , Mrs. Spruce , please ! '' Mrs. Spruce , thus abruptly checked , stood meekly aside , controlling her desire to pour forth fresh remonstrances at the unseemliness of any person or persons intruding upon the lady of the Manor at so late an hour in the evening as half-past nine o'clock . Maryllia hastened into the hall and there found an odd group awaiting her , composed of three very odd-looking personages , -- much more novel and striking in their oddity than anything that could have been presented to her view in the social whirl of Paris and London . Josey Letherbarrow was the central figure , seated bolt upright in a cane arm-chair , through the lower part of which a strong pole had been thrust , securely nailed and clamped , as well as tied in a somewhat impromptu fashion with clothes-line . This pole projected about two feet on either side of the chair to accommodate the bearers , namely Spruce and Bainton , who , having set their burden down , were now wiping their hot faces and perspiring brows with flagrantly coloured handkerchiefs of an extra large size .