afternoon about four o'clock
For the next few days nothing was talked of but the proposed country visit ; but as weeks went on , and spring seemed still as far away , the children 's excitement subsided , and the ordinary routine of lessons , walks , and play engrossed their whole attention . But Easter came at last , and then packing-up began . Miss Grant took her departure , and poor Sophy , the nursery maid , had her hands full enough , for nurse 's command was to keep the children quiet , and not let them come near her when packing . Mr. Roper was leaving the library one afternoon about four o'clock , when he saw the disconsolate little figure of Betty seated on the stairs . ` Anything the matter ? ' he asked good-naturedly . ` We 're going away to-morrow , ' was the reply , ` and it is all topsy-turvy upstairs .