3 o’clock sharp
`` Read it when you are alone , '' she whispered , and this is what Louise read : `` The two forwards signal with their braids . Over the right shoulder , means throw high . Tell Madelaine and Mary to watch . '' The game was scheduled to start at 3 o'clock sharp and by 2.30 the teams were all in their suits and the gym was filling up with the girls and the faculty . At the stroke of three the Fenwick team entered and marched to the opposite side of the gym , and came to a halt under a banner of yellow and white , their school colors . Two of their substitutes followed , carrying a white satin cushion on which sat a tortoise-shell cat with a big white bow on its neck . On close inspection it was discovered to have six toes on one paw , and was therefore very lucky .