four o'clock
`` Oh , do n't bother , Beth ! '' Mrs. Caldwell exclaimed irritably . When they went home , Bernadine clamoured for food , and her mother gave her a piece of bread . They were to have dinner at four o'clock , but no luncheon , for economy 's sake . Beth was hungry too , but she would not confess it . What she had heard of their poverty had made a deep impression on her , and she was determined to eat as little as possible . Aunt Victoria glanced at Bernadine and the bread as she went up to her room , and Beth fancied she heard her sigh .