two o'clock
The stranger was to have come about noon , but it was the middle of the afternoon when he arrived . The storm was then nearly over , and there was a glint of watery sunshine athwart the cold ; green , tossing sea . Maggie had grown anxious at his delay , and then a little cross . At two o'clock she gave a final peep into the room and said to herself , -- `` I 'll just get on wi ' my wark , let him come , or let him bide awa ' . I canna waste my time waiting for folk that dinna ken the worth o ' time . '' So when her lodger stood at her door she was at her baking board , and patting the cakes so hard , that she did not hear him , until he said , `` Good afternoon , Miss Promoter . '' Then she turned sharply around , and answered , `` Maggie Promoter , if it please you , sir . ''