one o'clock
The front rank is made up of hard-faced women worn out by veranda gossip . Usually some stiff old dowager crosses the tape first . I was thinking that perhaps we resembled that crowd in the eyes of Mr. Peters now . '' It was past one o'clock , and Mr. Magee with his four mysterious companions stood before the fire in the office , each with an eager eye out for the progress of the hermit , who was preparing the table beside them . Through the kindness of Quimby , the board was resplendent with snowy linen . `` We may seem over-eager , '' commented Professor Bolton . `` I have no doubt we do .