About four o’clock
She kept the secrets of the ` firm ' ; mourned over their griefs and smiled over their joys ; was proud of their talents and tenderly blind to their faults . The little wicker rocking-chair by the bedside was often made a sort of confessional , at which she presided , the tenderest and most sympathetic little priestess in the universe ; and every afternoon the piazza , with its lattice of green vines , served as a mimic throne-room , where she was wont to hold high court , surrounded by her devoted subjects . Here Geoffrey Strong used often to read to the assembled company _ David Copperfield _ , _ Alice in Wonderland _ , or snatches from the magazines , while Jack Howard lazily stretched himself under the orange-trees and braided lariats , a favourite occupation with California boys . About four o'clock Philip Noble would ride up from his father 's fruit ranch , some three miles out on the San Marcos road , and , hitching his little sorrel mare Chispa at the gate , stay an hour before going to the post-office . This particular afternoon , however , was not one of Elsie 's bright ones , and there was no sign of court or invalid queen on the piazza . The voices of the girls floated out from Elsie 's bedroom , while the boys , too , seemed to be somewhere in the vicinity , for there was a constant stirring about as of lively preparation , together with noise of hammering and sawing . ` If you were only going , Elsie , our cup of happiness would be full , ' sighed Bell .