eleven o'clock
One morning , for instance , as she strolled from the breakfast-room to the road , as was the easy custom of the hour , a hurried step followed in the same direction , and George Elgood , staring hard in an opposite direction , advanced an opinion that one lesson in fishing was mere waste of time , whereas two , or perhaps three , might possibly convey some real knowledge of the art . Er -- did Miss Vane feel inclined to pay another visit to the river ? Miss Vane , poking the gravel with the points of her shoes , was -- er -- yes ! quite inclined , if Mr Elgood was sure she would not interrupt his sport Mr Elgood , with equal eagerness and incoherence , assured Miss Vane that she would do nothing of the kind , and hurried back to the inn , murmuring vaguely concerning eleven o'clock . In the quiet of the riverside , however , he regained his self-possession , and once more proved himself to be the most interesting of companions , the most patient of instructors . Margot thought fishing a delightful and absorbing pursuit , which was the more remarkable as she was rather stupid than otherwise in mastering the initial movements . Mr Elgood encouraged her , however , by saying that some of the cleverest `` rods '' of his acquaintance had been the slowest in picking up the knack .