About half past two
`` Did Miss Merriam say so ? '' `` Yes , she said we might keep her out until twelve . '' `` Are the Hancocks and Watkinses coming early to the Club meeting ? '' `` About half past two . The afternoons are so short now that they thought they 'd better come early so it would n't be pitch black night when they got home . '' `` We ought to do some planning for Christmas this afternoon . There 's a lot to think about . ''