seven o'clock
Mrs. Hackney was kindness itself , and yet she kept at a distance and never once came into the new house , which looked very pretty , with its papers , self-coloured in most of the rooms , though Eva had chosen a bright floral paper covered with pink roses . Mr. Jones noticed the brighter looks of his secretary , though he made no remark , not even when she asked to be excused from coming to the office on the 20th of March , a request which he immediately granted . And at last the eventful day came , and at the very early hour of six the four girls started from their respective houses . They travelled out by the same train , alighted at Blackstead , and set off for No. 2 Heather Road , where they arrived not long after seven o'clock to a series of surprises . ` I am tired already , ' said Eva with a yawn , as they started from Blackstead Station to walk to Heather Road . It was not far , and it was too early for any cabs to be at the station . ` Take my arm , ' said Vava with pretended sympathy .