three o'clock
I 'm shaking now . '' `` Poor old sport ! Do n't take it so hard ! '' By three o'clock the lecture hall was filled with what Lilias Ashby -LRB- who had undertaken to write a report for the school magazine -RRB- described as `` a distinguished crowd . '' Fathers indeed were as few and far between as currants in a war pudding , but mothers , aunts , and sisters had responded nobly to the invitations , and were being conducted round by the girls to see their special exhibits . Mrs. Saxon had been unable to come that afternoon , but Quenrede had turned up , looking very pretty in a plum-colored hat , and giving herself slight airs as of one who is now a finished young lady , and no longer a mere schoolgirl . She chatted , in rather mincing tones , to Miss Burd herself , while Ingred stood by in awe and amazement , and when she bought a cup of tea from Doreen Hayward at the refreshment stall , she murmured : `` Oh , thanks _ so _ much ! ''