afternoon, about three o'clock
Dr. Knott came to see her , too , almost daily -- rough , tender-hearted , humorous , dependable , never losing sight , in his intercourse with her , of the matter in hand , of the thing which immediately is . Thus did these three men , each according to his nature and capacity , strive to guard the poor Hart , pasturing before the quaint pavilion , set -- for its passing refreshment -- in the midst of the Forest of This Life , and to keep , just so long as was possible , the pursuing Leopard at bay . Nevertheless the Leopard gained , despite of their faithful guardianship -- which was inevitable , the case standing as it did . For one bright afternoon , about three o'clock , Mrs. Denny arrived in the gun-room , where Ormiston sat smoking , while talking over with Julius the turf-cutting claims of certain squatters on Spendle Flats -- arrived , not to summon the latter to further readings of the great Elizabethan poet , but to say to the former : -- `` Will you please come at once , sir ? Her ladyship is sitting up . She is a little difficult about the baby -- only , you know , sir , if I can say it with all respect , in her pretty , teasing way . But I am afraid she must be told . ''