six o'clock
`` The boiled chicken was to be fricasseed , mum , '' she said , `` and you ordered me to open one of the tins of oxtail soup ; there were to be apple fritters afterward , and a cheese savory -- that is all . '' `` Yes , yes , '' said Hilda , putting her hand to her head , `` that dinner would have done very well for Mr. Quentyns and me , but we must make some alterations now . You had better run round to the fishmonger 's , cook , and go to the butcher 's , and order -- '' Hilda rushed to her davenport , scribbled some hasty directions on a piece of paper , and handed them to the servant . `` You must go this moment , '' she said , `` it is six o'clock now ; and please call at the green-grocer 's on your way back , and get a pound of bananas and some Tangerine oranges . I will see that the wine is all right , and speak to Susan about the table while you are out . Run , cook , run , at once -- things must look their _ very _ best , and be served in the best possible manner for dinner to-night . '' The cook muttered something unintelligible , and by no means too well pleased with her errand , departed .