five o'clock
There had been a picnic at Oak Island , which had taken all the morning and a good part of the afternoon ; then there had been a dozen letters to write for the late mail ; and finally she had taken Kitty 's turn with Willy at getting supper , as Kitty had a headache . The sisters protested , each one claiming her right to take the extra duty ; but Mrs. Merryweather had her own reasons for being glad of the hour of play-work with her little boy . Willy had been rather out of spirits , which meant that he , as well as his sister , had eaten too many huckleberries ; this afternoon he had been decidedly cross , and required treatment . Coming into the kitchen at five o'clock , she found the fire lighted , and the kettle on , for Willy was a faithful soul ; but he was frowning heavily over his chopping-tray . `` I wish mince-meat had never been invented ! '' he said , gloomily . `` Do you ? ''