four o’clock
There was no time to write to Hollywell , or rather Mr. Edmonstone forgot to do so till it was too late , and then consoled himself by observing that it did not signify if his family were taken by surprise , since joy killed no one . His family were by no means of opinion that it did not signify when the next morning 's post brought them no letter . Mrs Edmonstone and Charles had hoped much , and Amy did not know how much she hoped until the melancholy words , ` no letter , ' passed from one to the other . To make it worse , by some of those mismanagements of Mr. Edmonstone 's which used to run counter to his wife 's arrangements , a dinner-party had been fixed for this identical Wednesday , and the prospect was agreeable to no one , especially when the four o'clock train did not bring Mr. Edmonstone , who , therefore , was not to be expected till seven , when all the world would be arrived . Laura helped Amy to dress , put the flowers in her hair , kissed her , and told her it was a trying day ; and Amy sighed wearily , thanked her , and went down with arms twined in hers , whispering , ` If I could help being so foolish as to let myself have a little hope ! ' Laura thought the case so hopeless , that she was sorry Amy could not cease from the foolishness , and did not answer . Amy sat down at the foot of the sofa , whither Charles was now carried down every day , and without venturing to look at him , worked at her netting .