four o'clock
It will be just about all Miss Patricia Fairfield can do to get into her purple and fine linen by four o'clock p.m. , and methinks you 'd better begin on your own glad toilette , or you 'll be late yourself . '' `` Was I _ ever _ late ? '' asked Nan , scornfully , and as Patty responded , `` never anything but , '' she ran away to her own room . However , four o'clock found all the members of the reception party in their places . Patty looked adorable in soft white chiffon , untrimmed , save for some fine lace round the slightly low-cut neck . She wore a string of small but perfect pearls which her father had given her for the occasion , and she carried a beautiful bouquet of orchids , which was Nan 's gift . Patty had never looked prettier .