nine o'clock
I quite understand that you are troubled about your foot , but as the doctor says it is only a question of time , and if you are patient for a month or two more , you will be able to go about as well as ever . There is no necessity to brood about it as you do , no necessity at all ! '' Sylvia was not brooding about her foot , but she did not choose to say so to Miss Munns , and her silence being accepted as a sign of submission , the old lady became so mollified as to suggest that the two Miss O'Shaughnessys should be invited to tea forthwith . Afternoon tea under Miss Munns 's _ regime _ was a more formal meal than is usually the case , and also a trifle more solid , for it was followed by no dinner , but a supper of cocoa and potted meat served at nine o'clock . This arrangement was one of Sylvia 's minor trials in life , but Pixie O'Shaughnessy saw great compensations in a tea where you really sat up to the table , and had jam in a pot , and a loaf , and scones , and eggs . It fascinated her to see how the table was laid , with a white cloth spread diamond-wise under the tea-tray , and the different viands dotted about on the green baize . Miss Munns boiled her own water , and ladled the tea out of a little silver caddy , and dipped the bottom of each cup in water before it was filled to prevent slippings on the saucer .