four o'clock
`` Ca n't , marm , '' replied Jemima , `` they be all begged and crumbed , with their tails in their mouths . '' `` Vell , then , never mind , Jemima , '' replied the lady . -- `` Do n't put your finger into the parrot 's cage , my love -- he 's apt to be cross with strangers . Mr Handycock will be home at four o'clock , and then we shall have our dinner . Are you fond of viting ? '' As I was very anxious to see Mr Handycock , and very anxious to have my dinner , I was not sorry to hear the clock on the stairs strike four , when Mrs Handycock again jumped up , and put her head over the banisters , `` Jemima , Jemima , it 's four o'clock ! '' `` I hear it , marm , '' replied the cook ; and she gave the frying-pan a twist , which made the hissing and the smell come flying up into the parlour , and made me more hungry than ever .