four o'clock
But Jim vouchsafed no further comment . He only smiled and shook his head . Old Bellvieu was early astir on Wednesday morning , the time set for the departure . At four o'clock , when the darkness without was still intense , Ephraim , who had been awakened by an alarm clock , went from door to door of the big mansion , arousing the inmates . The provisions and cooking utensils had been packed in baskets and were setting in the front hall , ready to be carried to the automobile when Gerald and Aurora should arrive . There was also a hamper containing extra clothes for Aunt Betty , Dorothy and Molly . It was two sleepy-eyed girls who came slowly down the back stairway to eat hominy , biscuits and coffee , prepared by Chloe and Dinah in the big kitchen -- sleepy-eyed , because the chums had lain awake more than half the night talking over old times .