nearly five o'clock
`` How perfectly ridiculous , '' exclaimed Aunt Grace , `` to build a house with no back stairs . I always said that was the greatest flaw about this house . What _ can _ we do ? '' `` As it is nearly five o'clock , '' said Uncle Ted , `` I propose that we have breakfast , and consider that the day has begun . Then perhaps I can get somebody to build stairs or steps of some kind by night . '' `` But we must go up-stairs , '' said Nan , who had covered her wigless head with a bandanna kerchief , bound round like a turban ; `` we want to dress properly before we breakfast . '' `` And we want to finish our sleep , '' said Gertrude Carleton .