about one o'clock
He offered some indistinct excuse for having made her wait ; but Euphemia , with good-humored alacrity , interrupted him . `` O pray , do n't mind ; you have made nobody wait but me , and I can easily forgive it ; for mamma and my sister chose to go out at one , it being May-day , to see the chimney-sweepers dine at Mrs. Montague 's . -LSB- Footnote : This was a gay spectacle , and a most kind act to these poor children , who thus once a-year found themselves refreshed and happy . They resorted to the green court-yard of Mrs. Montague 's house every May-day , about one o'clock , dressed in their gala wreaths , and sporting with their brushes and shovels , where they found a good dinner , kind words from their hostess and her guests , and each little sweep received a shilling at parting . On the death of Mrs. Montague , this humane and pleasurable spectacle ceased . -RSB- They did as they liked , and I preferred staying at home to repeat my lesson . '' Thaddeus , thanking her for her indulgence , sat down , and taking the book , began to question her .