three o'clock
It was time to obey orders and telegraph to Bob . She planned how to do it , during a long morning when the children actually did some work -- since to be rude or idle meant that their teacher immediately retired into her shell of silence , and knitted , and life became too dull . To employ Eliza was her first thought -- rejected , since it seemed unlikely that Eliza would be able to get time off to go out . If Mrs. Rainham 's well-known dislike for walking proved too strong for her desire to watch her stepdaughter , it would be easy enough to do it during the afternoon ; but this hope proved vain , for when she appeared in the hall with her charges at three o'clock the lady of the house sailed from the drawing-room , ready for the march . They moved off in procession ; Mrs. Rainham leading the way , with Avice and Wilfred , while Cecilia brought up the rear , holding Queenie 's podgy hand . She had telegraph forms in her desk , and the message , already written , and even stamped , was in the pocket of her coat . There was nothing for it but to act boldly , and accordingly , when they entered a street in which there was a post office , she let Queenie lag until they were a little distance behind the others .