four o'clock
I am sorry to discourage you , but it is raining already . I see five drops on the window-pane , '' announced Elsie in a tone of satisfaction , born of the remembrance that she had `` told them so ! '' months ago , and that they had refused to believe her ; but her triumph was short-lived , for the girls only laughed at her five drops , called her their `` faithful croaker , '' and altogether played such havoc with her dignity that she retired within her shell in displeasure . Had the occasion been less important , she would have flown to her room to pour out her woes to the ever-sympathetic diary ; but no personal slight could be allowed to interfere with work to-day , for at four o'clock Jim would arrive , and never should it be said that the Rendell girls were engaged on their own devices when the one and only brother returned to his home ! The first few hours after Jim 's arrival could be spent in no other way than gazing upon him , in drinking in his words , and hanging around him in adoring admiration . By four o'clock the porch-room was abandoned , and each sister , attired in her best blouse and freshest skirt , was craning her head out of the dining-room window , while Kitty Maitland hovered in the background , scarcely less excited than themselves . He came .