five o'clock
Daisy , whose faith in her stove was unlimited , promised everything , if Aunt Jo would tell her how to make them . This suggestion rather alarmed Mrs. Jo , for some of the dishes were quite beyond her skill wedding-cake , for instance , bull 's - eye candy ; and cabbage soup with herrings and cherries in it , which Mr. Bhaer proposed as his favorite , and immediately reduced his wife to despair , for German cookery was beyond her . Daisy wanted to begin again the minute dinner was done , but she was only allowed to clear up , fill the kettle ready for tea , and wash out her apron , which looked as if she had a Christmas feast . She was then sent out to play till five o'clock , for Uncle Fritz said that too much study , even at cooking stoves , was bad for little minds and bodies , and Aunt Jo knew by long experience how soon new toys lose their charm if they are not prudently used . Everyone was very kind to Daisy that afternoon . Tommy promised her the first fruits of his garden , though the only visible crop just then was pigweed ; Nat offered to supply her with wood , free of charge ; Stuffy quite worshipped her ; Ned immediately fell to work on a little refrigerator for her kitchen ; and Demi , with a punctuality beautiful to see in one so young , escorted her to the nursery just as the clock struck five . It was not time for the party to begin , but he begged so hard to come in and help that he was allowed privileges few visitors enjoy , for he kindled the fire , ran errands , and watched the progress of his supper with intense interest .