ten o'clock
And then , as she felt somehow that her sauntering walk attracted too much attention , she turned into a baker 's shop , and , addressing the pleasant-faced woman behind the counter , said , ` May I have a bun , please , and rest here for half-an-hour until my office opens ? ' ` Indeed you may , miss , and if you like to step into my parlour you 'll find a fire there ; it 's no weather to be walking about the streets , and none too pleasant for a young lady like you , not but what I say if you show respect to yourself others will show it to you ; still , my parlour 's the best place on a day like this , ' said the baker 's wife ; for it was a cold , frosty January day . Stella thanked her kindly Samaritan , who little knew how nervous and miserable her self-contained and dignified visitor felt as she sat there , nor how reluctantly she rose to go to Baines , Jones & Co. 's office . The junior partner of the firm was not often so punctual at his office as he was on this morning , on which ten o'clock found him sitting in his private room , much to the perturbation of the clerks , who hurried in at or just after the hour of ten . ` There 's a lady to see you , sir , ' said a young clerk , handing him a card . ` Oh -- er , yes ; show her into this room , ' said the junior partner , with an embarrassment which amazed the clerk , who forthwith went and informed his fellow-clerks that the young boss 's best girl had called upon him , and ` he does n't seem too pleased , though she 's handsome enough in all conscience -- a regular beauty , and no mistake , and a cut above him too ; though what she means by running after him to the City goodness knows ! ' ` There 's no knowing what girls will do nowadays , ' said a wise youth of sixteen , who was promptly told to shut up .