six o'clock
It was just delicious to be well again , to sit among her companions and have one of the old hearty laughs over Mellicent 's quaint speeches . At that moment she was one of the happiest girls in all the world . A few days later Peggy was driven home to the vicarage , and stood the drive so well that she was able to walk downstairs at tea-time , and sit at the table with only a cushion at her back , to mark her out as an invalid just recovering from a serious illness . There was a special reason why she wished to look well this afternoon , for Arthur was expected by the six o'clock train ; and the candidate who had come out first in his examination lists must not have his reception chilled by anxiety or disappointment . Peggy was attired in her pink dress , and sat roasting before the fire , so as to get some colour into her cheeks . If her face were only the size of the palm of a hand , she was determined that it should at least be rosy ; and if she looked very bright , and smiled all the time , perhaps Arthur would not notice how thin she had become . When half-past six struck , everyone crowded into the schoolroom , and presently a cab drove up to the door , and a modest rap sounded on the knocker .