twelve o'clock
He turned the questions over in his mind without being at much pains to answer them . In such a very short time now he would know . He was to embark before a month had passed . He travelled down the very next day into Sussex , and came to the house under the Downs at twelve o'clock . It was early spring , and as yet there were no buds upon the trees , no daffodils upon the lawns . The house , standing apart in its bare garden of brown earth , black trees , and dull green turf , had a desolate aspect which somehow filled him with remorse . He might have done more , perhaps , to fill this house with happiness .