two o'clock
At fust me and my old woman tried eatin ' what was left over ; but discount is n't no good to her , and she wants the best victuals that is goin ' . Did ye ever think , sir , what this world would be without canned victuals ? '' I assured him that I never had , but would try to do so if possible . The day proved to be a very fine one , and early in the afternoon the people invited to the quilting party began to arrive , and by two o'clock the affair was in full swing . The quilting frame was set up in a large chamber at the right of the parlor , the `` comfortable '' to be quilted was stretched upon it , and at the four sides sat as many matrons and elderly maidens as could crowd together , each with needle in hand . Long cords rubbed with chalk were snapped upon the surface of the quilt to mark out the lines to be stitched ; wax , thread , and scissors were passed from one to another ; and every woman began to sew and to talk as fast as she could . I stood in the doorway and watched this scene with considerable interest , for I had never before seen anything of the kind .