four o'clock
There was not so much need of Nellie , and , when at the age of six she began her attendance , she rarely missed a day . If it was stormy she was bundled up warmly , and , occasionally , she was taken in the carriage when the weather was too severe for walking . The summer was gone when Nick helped harness the roan mare to the carriage , and , driving down to the forks , let Nellie out , and kept on toward Dunbarton , while the little girl continued ahead in the direction of the school-house . `` I 've got to stay there so long , '' said Nick , in bidding his sister good-by , `` that I wo n't be here much before four o'clock , so I will look out for you and you can look out for me and I 'll take you home . '' Nellie said she would not forget , and walked cheerfully up the road , singing a school song to herself . The little girl , when early enough , stopped at the house of Mr. Marston , whose girl Lizzie attended school . This morning , however , when Nick called from the road , he was told that Lizzie had been gone some time , so he drove on without her .