twelve o'clock
` I 'll work hard at it all the afternoon ; a lot can be done between this and seven o'clock . ' ` Oh , I do n't know , ' replied Kate dolefully ; ` these leaves take such a time to sew on ; and then there 's all the festooning . ' ` I think it can be managed , but we must stick at it . ' On this expression of good-will the conversation ceased for the time being , and the clicking of needles and the buzzing of flies about the brown-paper patterns were all that was heard until twelve o'clock , when Mrs. Ede burst into the room . ` I knew what it would be , ' she said , shutting the door after her . ` What is it ? ' said Kate , looking up frightened .