a quarter to six
Every one laughed except Jotham , who , seeing the little girl 's lip quiver , said awkwardly , yet very kindly , `` You 're a nice little girl , Prue , and I 'm real proud to have you choose me ; '' at which Prue 's spirits rose , and , turning with one little hand in Jotham 's , she said : `` You need n't have laughed if I did choose a big boy . He 's very nice , and ' most always gives Randy candy , and she gives some to me . '' This so amused every one that they commenced to pet Prue , and , much to Jotham 's delight , the game ended , for he felt that he could have chosen none but Randy as his favorite among his friends , and he realized that this would have been a trying ordeal for his diffidence . Many games they played that sunny afternoon , and so fast flew the hours that every one was surprised when Deacon Turnbull pulled out his great , old-fashioned `` timepiece '' and declared that it `` wanted a quarter to six , and that they ought to be hitchin ' up and startin ' toward home . '' So the baskets and pails were packed into the wagons , the horses harnessed , and the merry , tired party started homeward . Some of the picnickers were jolly , singing as they went along , others were too tired to sing ; but all were unanimous in voting the picnic a success , many declaring that it was just wonderful how Miss Dayton planned it , and that they did n't know when they 'd had such a good time . The ride with Helen was delightful to the two children , Randy looking admiringly at Helen all the way and talking little .