three o'clock
He had been thinking of the strawberry jam , I dare say , as a sort of make up for the dry rice pudding at dinner -- quite dry and hard it was , not milky at all , and Mrs. Partridge knew we liked milky puddings . `` Do n't be so sure of that , '' said Sarah , who was taking away the things . `` If you are all very good this afternoon I dare say you will have strawberry jam for tea . Mrs. Partridge is going out at three o'clock , and she wo n't be back till six , so the tea will be my business . '' The boys were quite pleased to have something to look forward to , and I , for my own reasons , was glad to hear Mrs. Partridge was going out . It was , for November , a bright afternoon , much brighter than we had had yet . Tom , who was standing at the window looking out , gave a great sigh .