early five o'clock
She did not consciously envy these girls , but she felt that , with their advantages , she would have been as attractive as any , and a boa seemed the first step in the desired direction . She always knew it when Mr. Baxter sent for Peter , and generally managed to see him as he stood laughing and talking with his friends , and when he saw them to their carriages . She would watch him wistfully when he came upstairs , and be glad when he returned briskly to his work , as if the interruption had meant very little to him after all . One day , when a trio of exquisitely pretty girls came to carry him off bodily , at an early five o'clock , Miss Thornton came up the office to Susan 's desk . Susan , who was quite openly watching the floor below , turned with a smile , and sat down in her place . `` S'listen , Susan , '' said Miss Thornton , leaning on the desk , `` are you going to the big game ? '' `` I do n't know , '' said Susan , suddenly wild to go .