three o'clock precisely
`` Well , if I behave nicely and am ladylike , wo n't they think so any way ? '' inquired Betty innocently . At which her mother smiled in spite of herself , and gave her a kiss . At three o'clock precisely there was a ring at the door bell , and Mrs. Hamilton appeared . She was closely followed by Mr. Jones , the good-natured janitor , who lifted Jack in his strong arms and carried him downstairs as easily as if he had been a baby . Mrs. Randall accompanied the party to the sidewalk , and stood by , watching anxiously while the little cripple was placed carefully and tenderly on the seat of the comfortable carriage Mrs. Hamilton had procured . She looked so sad and wistful that kind Mrs. Hamilton longed to ask her to take her place in the carriage , but dared not , lest in doing so she might arouse her neighbor 's sensitive pride .