six o'clock
`` I must go and help them get tea , '' said Ide , `` if you 'll excuse me . '' I said `` of course , '' with alacrity , and hoped soon to see a tray coming out into the verandah , where it was so cool and breezy now . Half an hour passed , however , and nothing happened . It was getting on towards six o'clock , and a smell of frying floated to us from the kitchen . `` I suppose they 're beginning to cook something that takes a long time to do , for dinner -- or supper , rather , '' I thought . `` She _ said _ they were getting tea , so -- '' `` Tea 's ready , good people , if you 're ready for it , '' announced Mrs. Trowbridge 's gentle voice at the door . Mr. Trowbridge and Mr. Brett got up , and I did too , disappointed that we were n't to have it out of doors ; but still , I reminded myself , the sitting room would be nice and cool .