about six o'clock
Well , says she , Peter , you need not have been ashamed to tell me , there is no harm in it ; dry up your tears . I know you are a good boy , very dutiful to your parents , and obliging to every one , and since I find you are so desirous of improving your mind , you shall not be deprived of the benefit of education because you are poor ; so do you and your father come to me to-morrow morning , and I will see what I can do for you . Peter returned her Ladyship a great many thanks , made one of his best bows , and ran home whistling and singing as merry as a grig . As soon as he got within side the door , Good news , good news , says he , father ; you and I are to go to Lady Bountiful 's to morrow-morning ; I believe her Ladyship is going to put me to school : Peter 's head was so full of it , that he scarce slept a wink all the night , and he got up the next morning at four o'clock , put on his Sunday clothes , washed his face and hands , combed out his hair , and looked as brisk as a bee ; and about six o'clock , away his father and he trudged to Lady Bountiful 's ; as soon as they arrived , they were ordered into her Ladyship 's parlour . Well , says she , Gaffer Pippin , since you can not afford to put Peter to school , I will send him at my own expence : so carry this letter to Mr. Teachum the Schoolmaster , and he will be taken as much care of as if he were my own son . A thousand blessings on your Ladyship , says the old man , I hope God Almighty will reward you for your goodness to my poor boy . It is no more than Peter deserves , says her Ladyship , and as long as he continues such a good boy , he shall not want a friend ; but make haste away with him , Gaffer Pippin , or you will not get there before it is dark , for they had near twenty miles to walk : so taking Peter in his hand , they set off towards the school ; but they had not walked above a mile or two , before they were overtaken by a gentleman 's coach , which stopped as soon as it came up with them , and the gentleman looking out , asked if that was not little Peter Pippin , whom he had heard was such a good boy ?