nearly three o'clock
Suddenly they mounted a ridge , and then the man pointed to where the Doctor 's house stood , snug in its own inclosure . `` Thank you , '' said Flower . She took a little twist of gold off her smallest finger , dropped it into the man 's dirty , open palm , and began quickly to descend the ridge in the direction of the Hollow . It was nearly three o'clock when she entered the cool , wide entrance-hall . The house felt still and restful . Flower acknowledged to herself that she was both tired and hungry , but her main idea to revenge herself on Polly was stronger than either fatigue or hunger . She walked into the dining-room , cut a thick slice from a home-made loaf of bread , broke off a small piece to eat at once , and put the rest into her pocket .