five o'clock
The girls ' beds were always made , when they went upstairs to freshen themselves for luncheon ; tumbled linen and used towels had been spirited away , fresh blotters were on the desk , fresh flowers everywhere , windows open , books back on their shelves , clothes stretched on hangers in the closets ; everything immaculately clean and crisp . It was apparently impossible to interrupt the quiet running of the domestic machinery . If Susan and Emily left wet skirts and umbrellas and muddy overshoes in one of the side hallways , on returning from a walk , it was only a question of a few hours , before the skirts , dried and brushed and pressed , the umbrellas neatly furled , and the overshoes , as shining as ever , were back in their places . If the girls wanted tea at five o'clock , sandwiches of every known , and frequently of new types , little cakes and big , hot bouillons , or a salad , or even a broiled bird were to be had for the asking . It was no trouble , the tray simply appeared and Chow Yew or Carrie served them as if it were a real pleasure to do so . Whoever ordered for the Saunders kitchen -- Susan suspected that it was a large amiable person in black whom she sometimes met in the halls , a person easily mistaken for a caller or a visiting aunt , but respectful in manner , and with a habit of running her tongue over her teeth when not speaking that vaguely suggested immense capability -- did it on a very large scale indeed . It was not , as in poor Auntie 's case , a question of selecting stewed tomatoes as a suitable vegetable for dinner , and penciling on a list , under `` five pounds round steak , '' `` three cans tomatoes . ''