four o'clock
`` By all means , '' replied Mr. Burnet . `` You can give them some of your scones , Mrs. Johnson , and some of your new strawberry jam . '' Accordingly a day was fixed for Mrs. Mitchell and Juliet to drink tea at Bourne House . They arrived at four o'clock , neatly dressed , and were taken by Mrs. Johnson into her own little room . `` You see , '' explained the housekeeper , `` I am what is called cook-housekeeper ; I do the cooking and manage the house . Then there is Mary the housemaid , under my orders ; she is out this afternoon , so you wo n't see her . And there is the butler , who is not under my orders ; and you wo n't see him , because he has his meals in his room , being still an invalid .