four o'clock
It was but a short distance , and they ran part of the way to make up for lost time , but when they reached the gate they found , as Valerie glanced at her tiny watch , that it was later than they thought , and was already about time for them to turn toward Glenmore , if they did not wish to be late . Hours were strictly kept at the school , and all pupils must return from recreation in time to give themselves personal care , and be in the lower hall at five-thirty for a friendly chat before going to the dining-room at six . Mrs. Marvin insisted that every pupil look her best at all times . It was now four o'clock . It would take a half-hour to reach Glenmore . That meant that not more than a half-hour could be spent at the hut . There was no answer to their repeated knocking , but as they turned to go they saw old Cornelia coming toward them along the road , a big basket on her arm .