twelve o’clock
It seemed to me as if the sun rose and shone , and as if the rain rained on Cranford , just as usual , and I did not notice any sign of the times that could be considered as a prognostic of any uncommon event ; and , to the best of my belief , not only Miss Matty and Mrs Forrester , but even Miss Pole herself , whom we looked upon as a kind of prophetess , from the knack she had of foreseeing things before they came to pass -- although she did not like to disturb her friends by telling them her foreknowledge -- even Miss Pole herself was breathless with astonishment when she came to tell us of the astounding piece of news . But I must recover myself ; the contemplation of it , even at this distance of time , has taken away my breath and my grammar , and unless I subdue my emotion , my spelling will go too . We were sitting -- Miss Matty and I -- much as usual , she in the blue chintz easy-chair , with her back to the light , and her knitting in her hand , I reading aloud the _ St James 's Chronicle _ . A few minutes more , and we should have gone to make the little alterations in dress usual before calling-time -LRB- twelve o'clock -RRB- in Cranford . I remember the scene and the date well . We had been talking of the signor 's rapid recovery since the warmer weather had set in , and praising Mr Hoggins 's skill , and lamenting his want of refinement and manner -LRB- it seems a curious coincidence that this should have been our subject , but so it was -RRB- , when a knock was heard -- a caller 's knock -- three distinct taps -- and we were flying -LRB- that is to say , Miss Matty could not walk very fast , having had a touch of rheumatism -RRB- to our rooms , to change cap and collars , when Miss Pole arrested us by calling out , as she came up the stairs , `` Do n't go -- I ca n't wait -- it is not twelve , I know -- but never mind your dress -- I must speak to you . '' We did our best to look as if it was not we who had made the hurried movement , the sound of which she had heard ; for , of course , we did not like to have it supposed that we had any old clothes that it was convenient to wear out in the `` sanctuary of home , '' as Miss Jenkyns once prettily called the back parlour , where she was tying up preserves .