three
o'clock
Mrs. Hazleby began talking to Winifred about her new sash , and criticizing Elizabeth 's dress ; and though Elizabeth could have wished Winifred 's mind to have been occupied with other things at such a time , yet she was glad of the opportunity this diversion gave her to compose herself before entering the church . Almost everyone who has ever joined in our beautiful Consecration Service , can imagine the feelings of some of the party from the Vicarage -- can figure to themselves Mrs. Woodbourne 's quiet tears ; Dora 's happy yet awe-struck face ; Anne sympathizing with everyone , rather than feeling on her own account ; can think of the choking overwhelming joy with which Elizabeth looked into little Edward 's wondering eyes , as the name of their father was read , the first among those who petitioned the Bishop to set that building apart from all ordinary and common uses ; can feel , or perhaps have known , the exultation with which she joined in the Psalms , and the swelling of heart as she followed the prayer for a blessing on the families of those who had been the means of the building of that House . But we must go no farther ; for , such thoughts and scenes are too high to be more than touched upon in a story of this kind ; therefore we will only add , that Winifred and Edward behaved quite as well as Elizabeth had engaged that they should do , only beginning to yawn just before the end of the service . After they had returned from the church , the luncheon at the Vicarage gave ample employment to Elizabeth 's hands , and nearly enough to her thoughts , in carving cold chicken , and doing the honours of Merton Hall peaches , at the side-table ; and she was very glad , when at three o'clock the company adjourned to the quadrangle , to see the school-children 's feast . The quadrangle was enclosed on the north side by the old church , on the south and west by the alms-houses , and on the east by the low wall of the Vicarage garden ; there was a wide gravel path all round the court , and here tables were spread , around which were to be seen the merry faces of all the children of the two schools -- the boys , a uniform rank arrayed in King Edward 's blue coats and yellow stockings , with but a small proportion of modern-looking youths in brown or blue , and deep white collars -- the girls , a long party-coloured line , only resembling each other in the white tippets , which had lately encumbered Elizabeth 's room . Much activity was called for , from all who chose to take part in supplying the children ; the young ladies ' baskets of buns were rapidly emptied , and Mr. Somerville 's great pitcher of tea frequently drained , although he pretended to be very exclusive , and offer his services to none but the children of St. Austin 's , to whom Winifred introduced him . The rest of the company walked round the cloisters , which were covered with dark red roses and honeysuckles , talking to the old people , admiring their flowers , especially Mr. Dillon 's dahlias , and watching the troop of children , who looked like a living flower-bed .