four o'clock
After that it grew less bustling and much pleasanter . And then by the last milestone , which was a good mile from May Lane , they found their father and Margery and Charlie waiting for them . All their tiredness vanished then in a trice , and the last mile was covered and home reached almost before they had begun to tell all they had to say . It was not much past four o'clock by the time they reached the cottage , but Aunt Emma had finished all her scrubbing and cleaning , and had tidied herself , and got tea all spread ready for them , and she actually came out to meet them , seeming really glad to see them , and when they gave her the cinnamon rock it was plain to see that she was really pleased that they had thought of her . `` Now come in and take off your boots , and put on your old slippers to rest your feet ; you must be tired out , '' she said kindly . They certainly looked very tired , though they were too excited just then to feel so . `` There 's apple-tart for tea , '' whispered Margery , as she followed Bella upstairs .