midday
Towards the close of the afternoon Pennyloaf was in Hanover Street . She wished to see Jane Snowdon , but had a fear of going up to the door and knocking . Jane might not be at home , and , if she were , Pennyloaf did not know in what words to explain her coming and say what had happened . She was in a dazed , heavy , tongue-tied state ; indeed she did not clearly remember how she had come thus far , or what she had done since leaving the hospital at midday . However , her steps drew nearer to the house , and at last she had raised the knocker -- just raised it and let it fall . Mrs. Byass opened ; she did not know Pennyloaf by sight . The latter tried to say something , but only stammered a meaningless sound ; thereupon Bessie concluded she was a beggar , and with a shake of the head shut the door upon her .