five o'clock in the afternoon
They always talked so much about appearance , and manner , and dress , and if they disapproved of it they said , `` rather common . '' They would certainly call Madame Jones `` rather common , '' for they would not understand about her noble heart ; and indeed Susan remembered she should not have done so herself without Mademoiselle 's explanation . It was a pity that when people had noble hearts it did not make them look noble outside , and she ended by hoping very much that Madame Jones would not come . It was between four and five o'clock in the afternoon of the expected visit , and the little girls were alone together . Aunt Hannah had promised that Mademoiselle should have a snug tea with them upstairs if she came alone , so that they were awaiting her arrival with some anxiety . Susan could not help a little secret hope now that she would _ not _ be alone , so that the dreaded meeting might be deferred . Sophia Jane had made no further reference to the collar , but Susan felt as much abashed in her presence as any prisoner before his judge , and sometimes found it difficult to talk .