ten o'clock in the morning
But unconsciously Peter had moved aside . In a flash Helena had slipped past him , and was flying through the wood , homeward , looking back to mock him , as he sped after her in vain . A week had passed . Mrs. Friend at ten o'clock in the morning had just been having a heart to heart talk with the landlady of the inn on the subject of a decent luncheon for three persons , and a passable dinner for four . Food at the inn was neither good nor well-cooked , and as criticism , even the mildest , generally led to tears , Mrs. Friend 's morning lot , when any guest was expected , was not a happy one . It was a difficult thing indeed to get anything said or settled at all ; since the five-year old Bobby was generally scrimmaging round , capturing his mother 's broom and threatening to `` sweep out '' Mrs. Friend , or brandishing the meat-chopper , as a still more drastic means of dislodging her . The little villain , having failed to drown himself , was now inclined to play tricks with his small sister , aged eight weeks ; and had only that morning , while his mother 's back was turned , taken the baby out of her cradle , run down a steep staircase with her in his arms , and laid her on a kitchen chair , forgetting all about her a minute afterwards .