ten o'clock
Some were bending down behind him , holding his head , others had their hands about Brandon , holding him back . Errand - boys were running , people were hurrying from the shops , voices raised on every side -- a Constable slowly crossed the street -- Ryle slipped away -- Joan had gone out at once after breakfast that morning to the little shop , Miss Milligan 's , in the little street behind the Precincts , to see whether she could not get some of that really fresh fruit that only Miss Milligan seemed able to obtain . She was for some little time in the shop , because Miss Milligan always had a great deal to say about her little nephew Benjie , who was at the School as a day-boy and was likely to get a scholarship , and was just now suffering from boils . Joan was a good listener and a patient , so that it was quite late -- after ten o'clock -- as she hurried back . Just by the Arden Gate Ellen Stiles met her . `` Oh , you poor child ! '' she cried ; `` are n't you at home ?