nine o'clock
She ran downstairs and had a private interview with the cook . It was Mrs. Aylmer 's custom , no matter what guests were present , to breakfast in her room , and immediately after breakfast Bertha , as a rule , waited on her to receive her orders for the day . These orders were then conveyed to the cook and to the rest of the servants . Breakfast was never over at Aylmer 's Court until long past nine o'clock , and if Bertha wished to keep Florence from putting in a most undesired appearance , she must be at Hamslade Station at half-past nine . She had a chat with the cook and then wrote a brief note to Mrs. Aylmer . It ran as follows : -- `` I am going in the dogcart to Hamslade . Have just ascertained that the pheasants we intended to have for dinner to-day are not forthcoming .