five o'clock in the afternoon
She did not like to discuss the question much with her father and mother . They seemed so pained at the thought that the two girls should not agree , and so wishful that their schooldays should bring them nearer together , that she determined not to mention the subject again , and could only hope that her fears might not be fulfilled . What the future held in store for her , and what experiences she was to encounter in her new life at Morton Priory , it is the object of this story to relate . A neatly printed notice had been forwarded to Dr. Hirst , reminding him that the autumn term reopened on September 20th , and that it was requested that all pupils should return on that day , arriving not later than five o'clock in the afternoon . Patty wondered how anybody could be in danger of forgetting such an important date , and from counting the days had come to counting the hours and even the minutes up to that particular moment when she must set out on her travels . To her great delight , her father and mother had decided to take a little holiday and escort her safely to school . They were anxious to see The Priory for themselves , and to make the acquaintance of Miss Lincoln , the headmistress , with whom they had already held some correspondence ; and they both felt they would be much better satisfied if they could picture Patty in her new surroundings , and leave her looking tolerably cheerful and happy there .