ten A.M.
Her crossing of the sidewalk and her elevation first to the running-board and then to a seat beside Mme. Dubroca took time and the strength of both men , yet was achieved with a dignity hardly appreciated by the street children , who covered their mouths , averted their faces , and cheered as the two cars , the smaller leading , moved off and turned from Royal Street into Conti on their way to pick up the three Chapdelaines . For nearly two hundred years -- ever since the city had had a post-office -- the post-office had been not too superior to remain in the _ vieux carré _ . Now , like so many old Creole homes themselves , it was `` away up '' in the American quarter -- or `` nine-tenth ' '' -- at Lafayette Square . On holidays any one anxious enough for his mail to go `` away up yondah '' between nine and ten A.M. , could have it for the asking . And such a one was Chester . He had his reward . Twice and again he read the magazine 's name on the envelope as he bore it to the Camp Street front of the building , but would not open the missive .