five o'clock
Reserve only attracts me . Impulsive people , who let out their feelings the first moment , do not interest me half so much as silent folk . I like to sit down before an enclosed citadel and besiege it ; with such ramparts of defense there must be precious store in the heart of the city , some hidden jewels , perhaps ; at least , so I argue with myself . But , happy as I was with Miss Lucas and Flurry , five o'clock no sooner struck than I was flying down the oak staircase , with Flurry peeping at me between the balustrades , and waving a mite of a hand in token of adieu ; for was I not going home to mother and Dot ? Oh , the dear , bright home scene that always awaited me ! I wonder if Carrie loved it as I did ! The homely , sunny little parlors ; the cozy tea table , over which old Martha would be hovering with careful face and hands ; mother in her low chair by the garden window ; Uncle Geoffrey with his books and papers at the little round table ; Dot and Jack hidden in some corner , out of which Dot would come stumping on his poor little crutches to kiss me , and ask after his little friend Flurry .