three o’clock
Inquiring what `` Grand Day '' meant , and why it produced this extraordinary result in a ladies ' school , Francine discovered that the first day of the vacation was devoted to the distribution of prizes , in the presence of parents , guardians and friends . An Entertainment was added , comprising those merciless tests of human endurance called Recitations ; light refreshments and musical performances being distributed at intervals , to encourage the exhausted audience . The local newspaper sent a reporter to describe the proceedings , and some of Miss Ladd 's young ladies enjoyed the intoxicating luxury of seeing their names in print . `` It begins at three o'clock , '' the housemaid went on , `` and , what with practicing and rehearsing , and ornamenting the schoolroom , there 's a hubbub fit to make a person 's head spin . Besides which , '' said the girl , lowering her voice , and approaching a little nearer to Francine , `` we have all been taken by surprise . The first thing in the morning Miss Jethro left us , without saying good-by to anybody . '' `` Who is Miss Jethro ? ''