eight o'clock
It was the first Overton commencement in which the three Oakdale girls had taken part , and greatly to their satisfaction they had been detailed to usher at the commencement exercises . Arline , Ruth , Gertrude Wells , the Emersons and Emma Dean had also acted as ushers , and on the evening of commencement day the Emerson twins had given a porch party to the other `` slaves of the realm , '' as they had laughingly styled themselves . It had been a momentous week , and the morning after commencement day Grace awoke with the disturbing thought that her trunk remained still unpacked , that she had two errands to do , and that she had promised to meet Arline Thayer at Vinton 's at half-past nine o'clock that morning . `` I am glad it is n't eight o'clock yet , '' she commented to Anne , as she stood before the mirror looking very trim and dainty in her tailored suit of dark blue . `` I 'm going to put on my hat now , then I wo n't have to come upstairs again . I 'll do my errands first , then it will be time to meet Arline , and I 'll be here in time for luncheon . After that I must pack my trunk , and if I hurry I shall still have some time to spare .