six o'clock
Rhoda wanted to go by the earliest train because the fares were slightly lower . Rhoda was of a saving disposition . It always gave her the greatest pleasure to be able to economize in any way , and her stores of twine and paper , old corks , scraps of writing-paper , old pens , and other things , afforded food for endless jokes amongst the rest of the girls . Cicely , on the other hand , was the exact opposite of her sister ; but being the younger , and less masterful , she gave in to Rhoda , and on the day they were to go home she rose , at Rhoda 's command , from her bed at six o'clock , very unwillingly though , for the saving of threepence on her journey was nothing to Cicely in comparison to the discomfort of rising early . Hope Carey had gone home some weeks before , having fretted herself ill with anxiety about her mother . Kitty and Pamela were to wait until the eleven o'clock train , for Dan , who broke up on the same day , could join them then at their station , and they could all travel down together . It was not nearly eleven when they reached the station ; but how could they stay quietly in the dull , deserted house waiting for the hours to go by ?