two o'clock
said Rush . Graham dropped into a chair with a gesture of relief even more expressive . Rush explained the cause of their alarm . Old Pete had driven in to Hickory Hill around two o'clock with a letter , addressed to Mary , from Paula , and on being asked to explain offered the disquieting information that she had left Ravinia for the farm , the afternoon before . They had driven straight to town and to Wallace as the likeliest source of information . In the emotional back-lash from his profound disquiet about his sister , suddenly reassured that there was nothing -- well , tragic to be apprehended , Rush allowed himself an outburst of brotherly indignation . He 'd like to know what the devil Mary meant by giving them a fright like that .