one o'clock
I thought you 'd like to know , sir ; and , if you please , is it to remain ? '' `` Yes , Marshall , it is to remain . '' And again the old gentleman smiled into the dancing flames and rubbed his smooth palms . After one o'clock on the afternoon before Christmas was a mill holiday ; and while the great looms were silent , those who usually toiled at them took their way into Wallburg city to do their Christmas shopping . Though a few , indeed , were able to satisfy their needs at the local stores , and among these , for once , was Gwendolyn . She had come up the knoll after dinner hour , to invite Amy 's presence at the gift buying , and concluded her invitation by saying : -- `` Even if you wo n't get anything yourself , you might come and look at the pretty things . It 's surprising how many you find you can pick out in a few minutes .