seven o'clock in the morning
`` You said , '' returned Anne , `` that when it came your turn to go to college you were going to slip away quietly without saying good-bye to any one but your mother , and here you are with almost half Oakdale at the train to see you off to college . '' `` Now , Anne , you know perfectly well that people are down here to see you and Miriam , too , '' laughed Grace . `` I 'm not half as much of a celebrity as you are . '' Grace Harlowe , Miriam Nesbit and Anne Pierson stood on the station platform completely surrounded by their many friends , who , regardless of the fact that it was half-past seven o'clock in the morning , had made it a point to be at the station to wish them godspeed . `` This is the second public gathering this week , '' remarked Miriam Nesbit , who , despite the chatter that was going on around her , had heard Grace 's laughing remark . `` I know it , '' agreed Grace . `` There was just as large a crowd here when Nora and Jessica went away last Monday .