five minutes before six
He was also allowed to drive home , while his new mistress read her letters . One particularly long one , with a queer stamp on the envelope , she read twice , never speaking a word till they got back . Then Ben was sent off with Lita and the Squire 's letters , promising to get his chores done in time for tea . Exactly five minutes before six the party arrived in great state , for Bab and Betty wore their best frocks and hair-ribbons , Ben had a new blue shirt and his shoes on as full-dress , and Sancho 's curls were nicely brushed , his frills as white as if just done up . No one was visible to receive them , but the low table stood in the middle of the walk , with four chairs and a foot-stool around it . A pretty set of green and white china caused the girls to cast admiring looks upon the little cups and plates , while Ben eyed the feast longingly , and Sancho with difficulty restrained himself from repeating his former naughtiness . No wonder the dog sniffed and the children smiled , for there was a noble display of little tarts and cakes , little biscuits and sandwiches , a pretty milk-pitcher shaped like a white calla rising out of its green leaves , and a jolly little tea-kettle singing away over the spirit-lamp as cosily as you please .