nearly eleven o’clock
While Tom and Rose were talking thus , Miss Merivale was waiting anxiously for Rhoda . She had arranged that she should come to Woodcote that morning while Tom and Rose were away . The station was only half a mile from the house , and she did not send to meet her ; but she sat by the drawing-room window , looking with painful eagerness down the drive for the first glimpse of the slim figure she remembered . It was nearly eleven o'clock when Rhoda came up the quiet country road and turned in at the iron gates . It was a delightful day , the first real day of spring . Though no leaves were yet on the trees , ruddy brown buds just ready for bursting clothed every branch . And the grass along the hedges was starred with celandines and daisies , while yellow catkins sprinkled the bushes above them .