eight o'clock
Only on that understanding had Lydia consented to do it . Mrs. Poole had frequently wished to give her an odd job at needlework for which she herself either had not time or lacked the skill , and to pay for it as she would have had to pay any one else . For some reason , Lydia declined to do anything for her on those conditions ; she would help as a friend , but not otherwise . She was hurrying , for she wanted to take the bonnet to Paradise Street by eight o'clock , and it was now half-past seven . Her face had the air of thoughtful contentment which best became it . Her window was open , and , as in the old days , there were flower-pots on the sill . Her eye now and then rested for a moment on the little patches of colour ; she did not think of the flowers , but they helped pleasantly to tone her mind .