four o'clock
` The wind does n't hurt flowers . It wo n't hurt me . ' Fires were lighted in the bedroom earlier than usual . Caroline and Sophia again retired to their room , leaving orders that they were not to be disturbed until four o'clock , and a solemn hush fell on the house . While the ladies were having tea , Susan was busy in their bedroom laying out their gowns and Henrietta , chancing to pass the open door , peeped in . The bed was spread with the rose-pink and apricot dresses of their choice , with petticoats of corresponding hues , with silken stockings and long gloves and fans ; and on the mound made by the pillows two pairs of very high-heeled slippers pointed their narrow toes . It might have been the room of two young girls and , before she fluttered down to tea , Henrietta took another glance at the mass of yellow tulle on her own bed .