3 o'clock
By nine o'clock the wet grass of yesterday was beginning to dry up , and Miss Adams , with the help of Jones the gardener , was setting up her scenery , and making initial arrangements for the business of the afternoon . She had contrived her open-air theater as far as possible on Greek lines . There was no stage , but the audience sat on chairs on the grass , and on cushions and rugs placed down a bank that commanded the lawn . The performance was to begin at 3 o'clock , and soon after 2.30 visitors began to arrive . There was quite a long row of cars in the drive , bicycles were stacked against the veranda , and two ponies were put up in the stable . Cousin Clare and her friends came in excellent time , driven -- much to Dulcie 's satisfaction -- by Milner , who in company with the other chauffeurs received a cordial invitation from Miss Walters to witness the show . `` And was n't it nice of him ? ''