three o'clock
`` Is n't it lovely of him to ask me ? Had I better tell him that David is better ? '' `` Not unless he inquires , '' the Doctor answered . `` He said he would be here at three o'clock . You can come down a little before that , and keep a lookout for him , so as not to make him wait . '' Polly was on hand , in the Doctor 's office , while it still lacked fifteen minutes of the hour ; but the Colonel was early , and the waiting time was short . Very sweet she looked , as she ran down the stone walk to the street , in her dainty new white dress with simple ruffles edging neck and sleeves .