six o'clock
The utmost variety that she could hope for would be hot gingerbread instead of the last of Sunday 's layer-cake , and maybe frizzled beef , since they had finished Sunday 's roast in a meat pie this noon . `` I did n't hear you come in , '' said her mother as Mary Alice opened the sitting-room door , `` and I was listening for you . '' `` I went right up-stairs to change my things , '' said Mary Alice , hoping that would end the matter . `` That 's what I knew you must have done when it got to be six o'clock and I did n't hear you . I could hardly wait for you to come . I 've such a surprise for you . '' Mary Alice could hardly believe her ears .