six o'clock
Do n't you ? '' `` I am sure of it , '' said Mrs. Bird , softly . The Ruggleses had finished a last romp in the library with Paul and Hugh , and Uncle Jack had taken them home , and stayed a while to chat with Mrs. Ruggles , who opened the door for them , her face all aglow with excitement and delight . When Kitty and Clem showed her the oranges and nuts they had kept for her , she astonished them by saying that at six o'clock Mrs. Bird had sent her in the finest dinner she had ever seen in her life ; and not only that , but a piece of dress-goods that must have cost a dollar a yard if it cost a cent . As Uncle Jack went down the little porch he looked back into the window for a last glimpse of the family , as the children gathered about their mother , showing their beautiful presents again and again , and then upward to a window in the great house yonder . `` A little child shall lead them , '' he thought ; `` well , if -- if anything ever happens to Carol , I will take the Ruggleses under my wing . '' `` Softly , Uncle Jack , '' whispered the boys , as he walked into the library a little while later ; `` We are listening to the music in the church .