about twelve o'clock
She had got into very good custom , from her real skill and punctuality , even in the short time that she had tried her luck in Edinburgh ; and this week she had had more work than she could manage . On these occasions she used to get the assistance of a very poor woman who lived at a considerable distance , who had once been a neighbour of her sister Bessie 's , and had been kind to Willie when he was in his last illness . Jane , sometimes with and sometimes without Elsie , had always gone to tell this woman about the work , but on this occasion Peggy had to take the long walk herself -- not that she grudged it -- for to put half-a-crown in poor Lizzie Marr 's pocket was worth a good deal of trouble and fatigue . She had returned about twelve o'clock , when the girls were getting ready to join their cousin in their promised walk , and just as she got to the top of the stairs , a man 's foot was heard at the bottom . They were going for their bonnets , when a sharp tap was heard at the door , and Peggy opened it , and they beheld , not Francis , but Mr. Brandon . `` Well , Peggy , '' said he , `` how are you ? I thought I could not be mistaken in those elbows .