8:30
We were particularly busy that night , and wanted to help the servants . '' `` Ned Talbot was here . He appeared suddenly , when we were laying carpets , and went down on his knees to help us . He seemed to expect to stay to dinner , so we gave him a scramble meal , and he left by the 8:30 train , '' explained Maud hurriedly . She , like Nan , had decided to give her own special piece of news on the evening of her parents ' return ; but though she appeared to be looking in an opposite direction , she was acutely conscious of her mother 's searching glances . `` In-deed ! '' Mrs Rendell said slowly .