six
o'clock
At last the rush came ; and the happy victims , showered and dishevelled , waving their handkerchiefs and shouting good-bye , were whisked up the hill , and out of sight . Sylvia insisted on staying , to begin `` straightening out the worst of the mess '' as soon as the last guest had gone , and on remaining overnight , sleeping in Sally 's old room with Molly , to be on hand and go on with the good work the first thing in the morning . Sadie and James had to leave on the afternoon train , as James had stretched his leave of absence from business to the very last degree already ; so by evening the house was painfully tidy again , and so quiet that Mrs. Gray declared it `` gave her the blues just to listen to it . '' The next night was to be Austin 's last one at home , and he had promised Sylvia to go and take supper with her , but just before six o'clock the telephone rang , and she knew that something had happened to disappoint her . `` Is that you , Sylvia ? '' `` Yes , dear . '' `` Mr. Carter -- the President of the Wallacetown Bank , you know -- has just called me up .