about four o'clock
`` Does that mean , Bristles , your aunt has been missing more of her precious stones ? '' he asked . Bristles nodded his head in a forlorn fashion . `` Two of 'em gone this time , Fred , and I guess I 'm the unluckiest feller ever , because they disappeared yesterday afternoon ; and mom sent me over with a message to Aunt Alicia about four o'clock . '' `` Well , that 's a funny thing , Bristles , '' Fred remarked , as he allowed the full force of the other 's story to sink into his mind . `` Not so very funny for me , let me tell you , Fred , '' muttered Bristles . `` Why , of course I did n't mean it that way , you know , old fellow , '' Fred hastened to say ; `` I meant that it was queer .