the hour of five
The room filled up rapidly with members of the freshman class , and Kit declared after she had been the rounds four times that she felt exactly like the lecturer in the curio hall in a museum , telling the history of the relics over and over again . Nobody but Anne knew how anxious she became as the moments slipped by and no Marcelle appeared . It would never do to have a climax happen without the surprise of her presence to carry it off . The refreshments had all been served , and the little bronze dragon clock on top of the book shelves showed the hour of five , when Charity called : `` You 'd better start in on your Founders ' talk , Kit ; we 've only got about half an hour . '' There was a baffled look in Kit 's eyes , as she picked up the challenge and rose from the brown willow chair . Charity must know perfectly well how untimely it was to start to spring the surprise while there was a running chance of Marcelle appearing . Still there was a hush , and the girls faced her expectantly .