four o'clock
`` I 'll carry it , and you take the nuts , '' said Polly , cramming her bundle into the long arms and getting anxious fingers on the bag of sugar , as Alexia came running up with it . `` I 'm sure I wish you would . '' said Alexia , seizing the nuts delightedly . `` I just hate that old -- Polly Pepper , it 's four o'clock ! '' -- as the church bell on St. Stephen 's tower pealed out . So Polly did n't have a chance , after all , to tell her glad piece of news , until they were at the Club supper , which was to be given at Larry Keep 's to celebrate his getting well . `` Oh , Alexia , '' she was guilty of whispering , `` it 's the most splendid thing . ''