eight o'clock
Mr. Thornton did not deign a reply . But , looking out of the window a minute after , he was struck with the lean , bent figure going out of the yard : the heavy walk was in strange contrast with the resolute , clear determination of the man to speak to him . He crossed to the porter 's lodge : ` How long has that man Higgins been waiting to speak to me ? ' ` He was outside the gate before eight o'clock , sir . I think he 's been there ever since . ' ` And it is now -- ? ' ` Just one , sir . '