about ten o'clock
Meanwhile Cicely and Merry entered the Manor House and waited impatiently for the return of their father and mother . `` We must get everything extra nice for them , '' said Cicely to her sister . `` I do think it is so wonderfully splendid of them to send us to school . '' The sun had already set , and twilight had come on ; but it would be quite impossible for Mr. and Mrs. Cardew to arrive at the Manor until about ten o'clock . What , therefore , was the amazement of the girls when they heard carriage-wheels in the distance ! `` Father and mother could not possibly have done their business and caught the early train , '' said Merry in some excitement . `` Who can be coming now ? ''