one o'clock
She sat looking out into the orchard , where now the noonday of summer held its still reign -- nothing there but the grass and the trees and the insects . The cowslips were gone ; and Mr. Linden -- Pet finished all that had been left unfinished of her own dress , then in her rose-coloured summer silk , white gloves in her hand , white flowers on her breast , she came and stood by Faith . Mrs. Derrick had gone down stairs . It was close upon one o'clock now ; the shadows were losing their directness and taking a slant line , the labourers were coming back to their work , standing about and taking off their coats , waiting for the clock to strike . Miss Linden stood drawing on her gloves . Faith gave her one swift glance , which rested for a second on her face with a look of loving gratitude . A flush rose to her cheek , as if it might have been the reflection of Miss Linden 's dress ; but it was not that , for it paled again .