four o'clock
In the meantime , she went back to bed , and , in spite of her resolution to intercept the returning wanderer , fell asleep again , and heard nothing until the bell rang at a quarter to seven . In the busy whirl of occupations that followed , there was no opportunity for any private conversation with Honor , either before or after morning school ; and immediately dinner was over , all the Chaddites rushed off to watch a croquet tournament between mistresses and monitresses , in which Vivian herself was taking part . The day , therefore , passed exactly as usual , and it was not until after tea , when the girls were just going to preparation , that anything particular occurred . At precisely half-past four o'clock Janie Henderson chanced to be walking down the passage when she saw the door of Miss Maitland 's study suddenly open , and Vivian Holmes come out , looking so greatly agitated and upset that Janie stopped in amazement . `` Why , what 's the matter ? '' she exclaimed , for she was on sufficiently friendly terms with the monitress to venture the enquiry . `` A great deal 's the matter ! ''