three o'clock
She had been educated solely at ` The Moorings , ' and she very much resented any allusions by Merle to former doings at the Whinburn High school . Iva and Nesta were more broad-minded , and were quite ready to take the benefit of Merle 's past experiences , but as their work lay largely at the hostel they were not so likely to clash . Even Muriel , however , recognised the necessity of receiving instruction on the subject of a public meeting , and allowed herself to be duly coached for the duties of the occasion . All the school felt quite excited when three o'clock on Thursday afternoon arrived , and they were left to themselves in the large classroom . Big girls , little girls , new girls , and old girls sat on the forms in giggling anticipation , chattering like swallows on the eve of migration , and determined to have a good time and enjoy themselves . `` You 're the eldest ! Open the ball ! ''