three o'clock
`` But you boys imagine that girls can not keep anything to themselves -- '' `` Wrong there , sis , '' he answered , picking up his cap . `` We all know perfectly well that you all can keep to yourselves exactly what we want to know , '' and in leaving the room he tossed a sofa cushion at Cora 's head , hitting her squarely , and knocking her hair awry . She retaliated , however , with a floor cushion over the banister , which Jack failed to dodge . At the appointed time , three o'clock , on a lovely June afternoon , Cora and Bess met as arranged with their autos at the cross-roads , Belle dainty as ever in her flimsy veils and airy silk coat , Bess , with her hand on the wheel , her eyes on the road ahead , and her jolly self done up simply in pongee , while Cora , correct as ever , and equally distinctive in her true green auto hood , and cloak that matched , made up a very attractive trio of auto maids . `` It 's only six miles out , '' called Cora , `` and this road runs straight into Squaton . They have quite a big strawberry farm out there . '' `` Yes , '' called back Bess , turning on more gasolene and throwing in third speed , `` mother was just delighted when I told her we were going there for berries . ''