ten
o'clock
You 'd better go down to Liverpool to-morrow with the young lady , and return by the night train . '' That day saw the beginning of a deep and lasting friendship between Hester and Mrs. Earl . When we left next morning to go to Hester 's home in Liverpool , she promised to return soon for a long visit . By ten o'clock we were well out of smoky London , on the way that I had already traversed once before , with a cheerful heart most creditable to me under the circumstances . Mrs. Chaffin was waiting for us at the gate when we alighted in front of the old wood-colored cottage -- that haven of weary legs in days gone by . Phil -LRB- who had lengthened noticeably in the service of Valentine , King & Co. -RRB- was there , too , and all the rest of the Chaffin household in Sunday clothes . Mrs. Chaffin was quite beside herself with joy .