nearly three o'clock
A description of his new home , his new duties and employers , filled all the rest of the letter , except what was devoted to affectionate messages and inquiries , a large share of which were for Gerty . Gertrude dined with Mrs. Sullivan , and then hastened to the omnibus . She took her seat , and as she waited for the coach to start , amused herself with the passers-by . It was nearly three o'clock , and she began to think she should be the only passenger , when she heard a strange voice proceeding from a person whose approach she had not perceived . She moved towards the door , and saw , standing at the back of the coach , the most singular-looking being she had ever beheld . It was an old lady , small , and considerably bent with years . She had been vainly endeavouring to mount the inconvenient vehicle , and now , with one foot upon the lower step , was calling to the driver to help her .