one
o'clock
The four hostesses tried their best to be entertaining without being patronising , but it was not an easy task . At least , their advances were not easily received , and the guests seemed to be on the alert to resent anything that savoured of patronage . But help came from an unexpected quarter . Just at one o'clock Mrs. Greene arrived . `` My land ! '' she exclaimed , as she entered the room , `` if this is n't grand ! I would n't of missed it for a farm !