three o’clock before
``` I was with Miss Rachel , and Mr. Franklin , all yesterday morning , ' Penelope said , ` mixing the colours , while they finished the door . I heard Miss Rachel ask whether the door would be dry that evening , in time for the birthday company to see it . And Mr. Franklin shook his head , and said it would n't be dry in less than twelve hours . It was long past luncheon-time -- it was three o'clock before they had done . What does your arithmetic say , Rosanna ? Mine says the door was dry by three this morning . ' ``` Did some of the ladies go upstairs yesterday evening to see it ? '