a quarter before seven
Still , with all drawbacks , the little class of two made fair progress ; and Candace realized that what Mrs. Gray had said was true , and that all the bits of amusement and pleasure which came in her way were doubly enjoyed by reason of the little `` backbone '' of real work thus put into her days . Another pleasure which she and Marian shared in common was a surf-bath before breakfast . Berry Joy had got up an omnibus party of girls , which she called `` The Early Dip Club , '' in which all four of Mrs. Gray 's young people were included . Punctually at a quarter before seven on every fair morning the omnibus rattled up the Avenue ; and the `` Club '' set out , under the care of an old experienced maid of Mrs. Joy 's , who had nursed Berry , and could be trusted to see that none of the young ladies did anything very imprudent , -- such as staying too long in the water or standing about in their wet bathing-dresses . At that early hour there were no loungers to stare at the party . The beach , cleanly swept by the tide of the night before , had scarcely a footprint to mar its smooth , firm sands . There was something delightful in the perfect freshness of the hour and place .