a quarter to ten in the morning
Ever , as in life , you remark the people who arrive too soon , or too late ; a few lucky ones come in the very nick of time . The last named are favourites , selected with no obvious reason by Fortune , and greatly envied by their contemporaries ; it is usual for them to claim the entire credit to themselves . Apart from these , at the terminal stations where no barriers exist , are folk who make but little affectation of being passengers , and use the station as a playground , with engine and train for toys . To Paddington at a quarter to ten in the morning came hurriedly , although there was no cause for hurry , Gertie Higham , escorted by Mr. Trew , both exceptionally costumed as befitting a notable occasion . Gertie 's escort had a pair of driving-gloves , and he could not determine whether it looked more aristocratic to wear these or to carry them with a negligent air ; he compromised on the departure platform by wearing one and carrying the other . The collector-dog trotted up with the box on his back , and both put in some coppers . They glanced at the giant clock .