nine in the
morning
` If I may I would rather go instantly . Can you send for a carriage for me ? ' Then the governor endeavoured to explain to him that it would be better for his wife , and more comfortable for everybody concerned , that she should have been enabled to expect him , if it were only for an hour or two , before his arrival . A communication would doubtless have been made from the Home Office to some one at Folking , and as that would be sent out by the foot-postman it would not be received before nine in the morning . But Caldigate would not allow himself to be persuaded . As for eating before he had seen the dear ones at home , that he declared to be impossible . A vision of what that breakfast might be to him with his own wife at his side came before his eyes , and therefore a messenger was at once sent for the vehicle .