eleven o'clock
Her hands blessed , even while her fingers were busy feeling for the soft spots in the victim 's skull . Gay , on her side , was pleasant , polite , and interested , while guarding her heart behind a barrier as fine as a shirt of steel mail . For , though of a frank and generous disposition , she was not a fool , and life had taught her a few things about the attitude of mind of most pretty unattached women toward young girls in the same case . At eleven o'clock one morning , they were all gathered round Mrs. Hallett 's tea-table -- Gay , Berlie , Mrs. Hading , and several men , for 11 A.M. is the `` off '' hour in Rhodesia , when everyone leaves his business , if he has any , to take tea in the pleasantest society he can find . At Wankelo , most people sallied forth to the lounge of the `` Falcon , '' the club-room of the town , where morning tea was a ceremony , almost a rite . Someone had just remarked on the prolonged absence of Lundi Druro when his car rolled up to the door , and , a moment later he strolled in and came over to the circle of tea-drinkers , cool and peaceful in their white clothes and shady hats . Unfortunately , his dog , Toby , chose this as a suitable occasion for saying a few pleasant words to Gay 's dog , Weary .