four o'clock
Well , when one thinks of it , Mona 's writing is almost Mona 's self , and any one who would be likely to fall in love with it would be almost likely to fall in love with her . She is just as beautiful and delicate and sharp , '' she continued to herself , taking out Mona 's note and looking at it attentively , `` and just the same something about both that repels one and produces an uncomfortable sensation without any visible cause . '' She put back the note in a hurry , remembering how much she had to do , and soon forgot the circumstance among the multitude of other matters which immediately claimed her attention . She found her time fully occupied till shortly before four o'clock , and had a pretty exciting scramble to be at Hollowmell at the time appointed . Mabel was already there when she arrived , and the two set to work in earnest , buttering great piles of tea-cakes and toasted muffins , which were all set forth in tempting array when the children began to appear at the door , looking in with some bashfulness at first , but plucking up courage after sundry peeps at the good things , they came trooping in , in goodly numbers -- a motly throng , ranging in point of age , from about seven to fourteen , and in point of condition , from ragged and torn urchins , with dirty faces and uncombed hair , to mill-girls of various ages with shining faces , and ribbons of different degrees of dirtiness in their crimped and frizzled tresses . They were led by Mabel into another apartment , where accommodation was provided for those who desired to improve their toilet with such additions as soap and water and a certain amount of vigorous brushing could afford . These arrangements completed , they were marshalled into the largest room the house contained , where it was found that , although an apartment of no mean dimensions , it was still hardly large enough to accommodate the throng comfortably .