eight
o'clock
Mr. Povey had cut the card and sketched the word and figures in pencil , and Constance was doing her executive portion of the undertaking . They were very happy , very absorbed , in this strictly business matter . The clock showed five minutes past ten . Stern duty , a pure desire for the prosperity of the shop , had kept them at hard labour since before eight o'clock that morning ! The stairs-door opened , and Mrs. Baines appeared , in bonnet and furs and gloves , all clad for going out . She had abandoned the cocoon of crape , but still wore weeds . She was stouter than ever .