four o'clock
`` I do n't know what she may , or may not , come to , some day ; I only wish she were ours ! If you could have seen her clasp the flag tight in her arms and put her cheek against it , and watched the tears of feeling start in her eyes when I told her that her star was her state ! I kept whispering to myself , '' ` Covet not thy neighbor 's child ! Daily at four o'clock Rebecca scrubbed her hands almost to the bone , brushed her hair , and otherwise prepared herself in body , mind , and spirit for the consecrated labor of sewing on her star . All the time that her needle cautiously , conscientiously formed the tiny stitches she was making rhymes `` in her head , '' her favorite achievement being this : -- `` Your star , my star , all our stars together , They make the dear old banner proud To float in the bright fall weather . '' There was much discussion as to which of the girls should impersonate the State of Maine , for that was felt to be the highest honor in the gift of the committee . Alice Robinson was the prettiest child in the village , but she was very shy and by no means a general favorite .