five
o'clock in the afternoon
and , as for his living on samples , I do n't believe a word of such a ridiculous story . You see he 's got a kind of habit o ' saving , and he 's so thin he do n't want much , and he 's nobody to spend for ; but I tell you he has got a heart , and a good one , when you come at it . '' This was a specimen of the conversations at the rag parties . At five o'clock in the afternoon , the tea table was spread , and such loads of bread and butter , cake , cheese , and what they called sweet sarse and apple trade you never saw . The farmers and their sons , as many as could be spared from work , put on their best coats , and helped hand about the tea and good things . At nine exactly , they all went home , leaving many large balls , nicely sewed , of filling for the intended new carpet . Early in the morning of the next day , I was brightened up again , and sent home , when my dear mistress saw me put up on a high shelf among valuable things not often used , but always well cared for .