half past three
The smooth machinery of Cousin Jasper 's house must have been thrown out of gear for a moment when the car came round to the door and Oliver failed to appear . It was running quietly and noiselessly again , however , by the time he returned . Janet was curled up in a big armchair in the library , enjoying a book , when he came in . She looked up at him rather curiously , but only said : `` Eleanor Brighton 's mother telephoned at half past three that Eleanor had been detained somewhere , she did n't quite know where . She was very apologetic and hoped we would come some other time . I walked down the road to look for you , but you were n't in sight . I met such a strange man , coming in at the gate ; he turned all the way around on the seat of his cart to stare at me .