three o'clock
Still , she tried it on , and felt better . She would linger until Sam came , would exhibit herself to him ; and surely he would not tarry long with Susan . This project improved the situation greatly . She began her toilet for the evening at once , though it was only three o'clock . Susan finished her pressing and started to dress at five -- because she knew Ruth would be appealing to her to come in and help put the finishing touches to the toilet for the party . And , sure enough , at half-past five , before she had nearly finished , Ruth , with a sneaking humility , begged her to come `` for half a minute -- if you do n't mind -- and have got time . '' Susan did Ruth 's hair over , made her change to another color of stockings and slippers , put the dress on her , did nearly an hour 's refitting and redraping .