about four o’clock
Of course you can command me as you please . But I think it would be better so . ' ` Oh yes , ' she said wearily , ` better so . ' This was the only exchange of words between them till about four o'clock ; the phaeton , mounting the lane , ` opened out ' the cottage between the leafy banks . Thin smoke went straight up from the chimney ; the flowers in the garden , the hawthorn in the lane , hung down their heads in the heat ; the stillness was broken only by the sound of hoofs . For right before the gate a livery servant rode slowly up and down , leading a saddle horse . And in this last Dick shuddered to identify his father 's chestnut .