eight o'clock
`` It is an uncommonly awkward business for me , and your cousin will not forgive it in a hurry , I fancy ; but it really was not poor Aleck 's fault -- he is gentle as a lamb , if only he is let alone . '' `` He has a very honest face , though his nose does look as though it were broken , '' she said , and , stooping down , she patted the dog . `` But I must be going in to breakfast , '' she went on , presently . `` It is eight o'clock ; the sun always strikes that bough at eight in spring , '' and she pointed to a dead limb , half hidden by the budding foliage of the oak . `` You must observe closely to have noticed that , but I do not think that the sun is quite on it yet . I do not like to lose my new-found relations in such a hurry , '' he added , with a somewhat forced smile , `` and I am to go away from here this evening . '' The intelligence was evidently very little satisfactory to Angela , nor did she attempt to conceal her concern .