nine o'clock
The world looked empty all around her . And he was touched with a sudden poignant realisation of her life ; its sadness , its incompleteness , its isolation . That was what he had brought her to . The rain cleared off , the mist lifted , and at nine o'clock it was a fine day for Peggy 's birthday . Even Scale , where it stretched its flat avenues into the country , showed golden in the warm and brilliant air . The household in Prior Street had been up early , making preparations for the day . Peggy had waked before it was light , to feel her presents which lay beside her on her bed ; and , by the time Majendie 's sail had passed Fawlness Point , she was up and dressed , waiting for him .