half past three
He had found no excuse by lunch time , and was relieved that Cousin Jasper did not appear , being deep in some task in his study . At half past two Janet went upstairs to dress and Hotchkiss came to Oliver in the library to say : `` The car was to be ready at three o'clock , sir . Is that correct ? '' To which Oliver replied desperately : `` Tell Jennings to make it half past three . I am going for a walk . '' So he had plunged out through the gates and , once away down the dusty road , he became more and more of a rebel and finally a fugitive . `` I wo n't go back , '' he kept saying to himself .