nearly five o'clock in the afternoon
`` I think this bird will get on , if it is taken care of and not over-fed , '' said Magdalen . `` It is a greenfinch , you know , and greenfinches take kindly to domestic life . Besides , it is not so very young a bird , and it looks quite bright and happy now that it has got over its fright , '' and so saying she followed Hoodie 's mother out of the room to prepare for their drive . It was nearly five o'clock in the afternoon when they returned . Cousin Magdalen ran joyously up-stairs to the nursery carrying a very funnily-shaped parcel in her hand . The children were all at tea . She heard their voices and the clatter and tinkle that always accompanies a nursery meal as she came along the passage , and she opened the door so softly that for a moment or two she stood watching the little party before any of them noticed her .