about four o'clock
He wanted above all things to make Lesley 's acquaintance , and to talk to her -- for her good -- about her father . And one afternoon his sister begged him , as a great favor to her ; to go over to Mr. Brooke 's house with a message and a parcel for Lesley . He had been introduced to her one day in the street , therefore there could be nothing strange in his going in and asking for her , Ethel said . And would he please go about four o'clock , so as to catch Miss Lesley Brooke at afternoon tea . Maurice told himself that it would be an impertinent thing to speak to her about her family affairs , and that he would only stay three minutes . At four o'clock he knocked at the door of Mr. Brooke 's chocolate-brown house , and inquired solemnly for Miss Brooke . Miss Brooke was not at home .