six o'clock
`` Stuff ! '' echoed Kittie . `` It is n't as big as a door-knob . '' But nevertheless , they both let breakfast burn , while running every few moments to see if it was swelling any bigger , and were fully rewarded by seeing it dwindle and sail away over the barn before six o'clock . No , it did n't rain , and before the sun was through his earliest infancy , they were all ready , and Dr. Barnett 's phaeton stood at the gate , with Miss Lottie in a pretty picnic suit ; and her brother deeply absorbed in the pleasing task of getting Bea down to the gate without hurting her ankle . Ralph officiated on one side of the interesting cripple , and took a wicked satisfaction in doing the greatest share of the supporting ; but then the doctor was reasonable , and was as happy as possible with what fell to his share ; and Bea , -- well , Bea was perfectly content . They drove off with an accompanying shout from those left behind , and a few moments later , Ralph and the twins departed on foot to meet the carriages that were all to assemble at a certain place .