about noon
As the lady of the house was waiting for them on the veranda , this was embarrassing , so Bertha smiled , and then the whole group moved on . So they kept on for the rest of the trip , King jollying Bertha whenever it was necessary , and the other girls making merriment for themselves . Marjorie and Elsie soon became friends , for they were alike merry-hearted and pleasant-mannered . It was about noon when they sold their last doll and turned their faces homeward . Elsie and Bertha went with them , and when they reached Cousin Jack 's house they found Kitty and May Perry already there . `` Here you are , my little peddlers ! Here you are , with your empty carts ! ''