two o'clock
One day , toward the end of a very fine May , the girls were all to go for a picnic to some woods about four miles away . They had looked forward for several days to this relaxation , and were in the highest state of delight and the wildest spirits . After an early dinner they were to drive in several large wagonettes to the place of rendezvous , where they were to be regaled with gypsy-tea , and were to have a few hours in the lovely woods of Burn Castle , one of the show places of the neighborhood . Mrs. Willis had invited the Misses Bruce to accompany them , and they were all to leave the house punctually at two o'clock . The weather was wonderfully fine and warm , and it was decided that all the children , even Nan , should go . Perhaps none of the girls looked forward to this day 's pleasure with greater joy than did Hester ; she determined to make it a real holiday , and a real time of relaxation . She would forget her English theme ; she would cease to worry herself about Marie Antoinette ; she would cease to repeat her part in the coming play ; and she would devote herself exclusively and determinately to Nan 's pleasure .