three o'clock
The number of things which Ada discovered to be vulgar increased every day , and included the greater part of her mother 's wardrobe , much to the distress of that poor lady . Mrs. Pratt had reached the size when it is prudent to concentrate a love of bright colors in one 's parasol . On this particular afternoon she shed tears over the fact that Ada refused to accompany her if her mother wore a unique garment of orange satin , covered with what appeared to be a plague of black worms . Of course , the sale of work was combined with a garden-party , and a little after three o'clock carriage after carriage began to arrive , and Sybell , with a mournful , handsome , irreproachably dressed husband , took up her position on the south front to receive her guests . The whole neighborhood had been invited , and it can generally be gauged with tolerable accuracy by a hostess of some experience who will respond to the call and who will stay away . Sybell and her husband were among those who were not to be found at these festivities , neither were the Newhavens , save at their own , nor the Pontisburys , nor the Bishop of Southminster . Cards had , of course , been sent to each , but no one expected them to appear .