four o'clock
We have to get letters away by Tuesday from the Mofussil instead of Thursday as in Calcutta . I look forward with great distaste to leaving this place next week . When with the Royles one ca n't imagine oneself happy anywhere else . The days pass so quickly ; breakfast seems hardly over when it is time for luncheon , and before one has really settled down to read or write it is four o'clock , and time to go to tea , which is spread down by the lake among the roses , the sun having lost its fierceness and begun to think of going to bed . We all sit at a round table and eat brown bread and butter and jam , all home-made . The china we use is very pretty and came from Ireland , but Mrs. Royle has been greatly troubled by its discoloured appearance , which the servants assured her there was no cure for . I suggested rough salt and lemon-juice , and after tea yesterday afternoon they brought it , and we each set to work on our own cup and saucer , and behold !