noon on
Saturday
She had not wielded them as weapons of justice since the day -LRB- four years ago -RRB- when a struggle with Ivy Nancarrow 's elder brother had taught her that her natural strength was abating . At twelve o'clock she told the children to close their books , dismissed them to play , and sat down to await the invited company . Mr. Toy was the first to arrive . He came straight from the jetties -- that is to say , as straight as a stevedore can be expected to come at noon on Saturday , after receiving his week 's pay . He wore his accustomed mask of clay-dust , and smelt powerfully of beer , two pints of which he had consumed in an unsocial hurry at the Ferry Inn on his way . `` Good-morning . '' Mrs. Butson welcomed him with a nod .