two o'clock
`` Why , it means that I think she 's a lady -- a real pleasant lady-just the nicest sort of lady in the world -- the sort of person I 'd like to see every day , and like to see her better than any one else . '' `` Oh , why , ` spect an ' love means just the same thing , do n't they , Uncle Har -- '' `` Budge , '' I exclaimed , somewhat hastily `` run ask Maggie for a piece of string -- quick ! '' `` All right , '' said Budge , moving off , `` but they DO , do n't they ? '' At two o'clock I instructed Maggie to dress my nephews , and at three we started to make our call . To carry Toddie 's bouquet , and hold a hand of each boy so as to keep them from darting into the hedges for grasshoppers , and the gutters for butterflies , was no easy work , but I managed to do it . As we approached Mrs. Clarkson 's boarding-house I felt my hat was over one ear , and my cravat awry , but there was no opportunity to rearrange them , for I saw Alice Mayton on the piazza , and felt that she saw me . Handing the bouquet to Toddie , and promising him three sticks of candy if he would be careful and not drop it , we entered the garden .