one o'clock
By dint of superhuman effort , and putting such a seal upon their lips as never mortals put before , the two girls succeeded in keeping their wonderful news to themselves ; although it was obvious to all beholders that they were in an extraordinary and abnormal state of mind . On Thanksgiving the lamp arrived in a large packing box , and was taken out and set up by Seesaw Simpson , who suddenly began to admire and respect the business ability of his sisters . Rebecca had heard the news of its arrival , but waited until nearly dark before asking permission to go to the Simpsons ' , so that she might see the gorgeous trophy lighted and sending a blaze of crimson glory through its red crepe paper shade . There had been company at the brick house to the bountiful Thanksgiving dinner which had been provided at one o'clock , -- the Burnham sisters , who lived between North Riverboro and Shaker Village , and who for more than a quarter of a century had come to pass the holiday with the Sawyers every year . Rebecca sat silent with a book after the dinner dishes were washed , and when it was nearly five asked if she might go to the Simpsons ' . `` What do you want to run after those Simpson children for on a Thanksgiving Day ? '' queried Miss Miranda .