one o’clock
The door was shut , and they drove off , bound for the Continent , and then Mary , as if the contingency of losing Flora had only for the first time occurred to her as the consequence of the wedding , broke out into a piteous fit of sobbing -- rather too unrestrained , considering her fourteen years . Poor Mary , she was a very child still ! They pulled her into the study , out of the way of Mr. Rivers , and Meta had no sooner said how Flora would soon come home and live at the Grange , and talked of the grand school-feast to which she was at once going to take her friends , than the round rosy face drew out of its melancholy puckers into smiles , as Mary began to tell the delight caused by the invitations which she had conveyed . That was to be a feast indeed -- all the Abbotstoke children -- all Flora 's class at Stoneborough , and as many Cocksmoor scholars as could walk so far , were to dine on Christmas fare , at one o'clock , at the Grange , and Meta was in haste to be at home to superintend the feast . Mary , Blanche , and Aubrey , went with her , under the keeping of Miss Bracy , the boys were to follow . She had hoped for Ethel , but on looking at her , ceased her coaxing importunity . `` I see , '' she said kindly ; `` even schoolchildren will not be so good for you as peace . ''