nearly eleven o'clock before
I dare say you 'll manage to cram in somehow . '' No tea was ever so acceptable as the large , steaming cups which they drank in the stuffy little parlour , and no carriage and pair could have been more welcome than the old market cart that came round to the door afterwards . It was rather a problem how to pack themselves and the driver into it , but Lindsay sat on Meta 's knee , and Rhoda squeezed herself between her two brothers on the front seat . The horse walked up and down hill , and only rose to a measured trot on level ground , so it took a considerable time to accomplish the nine-mile journey , and it was nearly eleven o'clock before they reached the Vicarage . Very tired and cold and cramped , they rushed into the house , where Mrs. Greenwood , in an agony of suspense , had been imagining all the accidents which could possibly have happened to them , and was preparing herself for the worst . The Vicar and some of the neighbours , it appeared , were out searching for them with lanterns , so a messenger was quickly sent through the village to spread the good news of their safe arrival . `` You ca n't complain you 've had no excitement here , '' said Ralph to the three guests .