four o'clock on Christmas Day
No one was busier than Polly . She wanted to give Purdy , who had been on short commons for so long , a special Christmas treat . She had willing helpers in him and Jerry : the two of them chopped and stoned and stirred , while she , seated on the block of the woodstack , her head tied up in an old pillow-case , plucked and singed the goose that had fallen to her share . Towards four o'clock on Christmas Day they drew their chairs to the table , and with loosened collars set about enjoying the good things . Or pretending to enjoy them . This was Mahony 's case ; for the day was no holiday for him , and his head ached from the sun . At tea-time Hempel arrived to pay a call , looking very spruce in a long black coat and white tie ; and close on his heels followed old Mr. Ocock .