ten o'clock Wednesday morning
`` It 's from grandma , '' said Mrs. Merrill as she glanced at the writing , `` and listen ! This is what she says : '' ` Grandpa finds quite unexpectedly that he must come to Chicago on business and he says that if it 's convenient to you folks I can come along and we 'll stay two or three days for a visit . Please wire reply because we must start Wednesday evening . ' '' `` And it 's ten o'clock Wednesday morning now ! '' exclaimed Mrs. Merrill . She hurried to the telephone , called Mr. Merrill so he could send a telegram at once , then she and the two girls went right to work making ready for the guests . It was decided that Alice and Mary Jane should sleep on couches and give up their room to the visitors .