My time'll be up at three o'clock.

I thought of coming in on the way back, and asking you for a cup o' tea, Mrs.Bunting." "Do," she said.

"Do, Joe.

You'll be welcome," but there was no welcome in her tired voice.
She let him go alone to the door, and then she went down to her kitchen, and began cooking Mr.Sleuth's breakfast.
The lodger would be sure to ring soon; and then any minute Bunting and Daisy might be home, and they'd want something, too.

Margaret always had breakfast even when "the family" were away, unnaturally early.
As she bustled about Mrs.Bunting tried to empty her mind of all thought.