four o'clock
Another hour 's work the next morning finished the weeding , and the girls reflected with satisfaction that they had earned their flowers . Mrs. Stokes said the work was done `` beautiful , '' and Hiram , who was brought to inspect it , said they had done so well that he had a great mind to have them come down to the field and hoe corn . Thursday morning early they gathered and put in water enough flowers for seven fair-sized bouquets , thinking they had better have one more than Miss Fanny mentioned in case an extra lady came . By four o'clock these flowers -- and how lovely and fragrant they were ! -- with Mrs. Ashford 's valuable assistance were made into tasteful bouquets , placed on an old tray with their stems lightly covered with wet moss , and set in the coolest corner of the porch . The children , including Freddie , all nicely dressed , took up position on the steps , partly to keep guard over the flowers and prevent Ponto from lying down on them , and partly to watch for their callers . Marty 's bright eyes were the first to see the carriages .