six o'clock
They went into the house , the trail of Susy 's long wrapper following after little Dotty Dimple like the closing feet in one of Polly 's long-metre verses . Still the moon shone with the same white , ghostly light , and the sun continued to keep away . `` This beats all , '' said Polly , mournfully ; as she washed her hands , strained the milk , and set the pans away . `` If I judged by my feelings , I should say it must be six o'clock , or very near it . At any rate , I 'm going to have a cup of tea . What 's this smell ? '' On the stove stood a pool of something which looked like liquid silver , and proved to be the remains of the best tea-pot .