four o'clock
When plates and forks and knives were stowed in the waggon again , the party broke up in twos and threes , and went off exploring . Lucy was tired , and said she would remain beside the goods and chattels , whereupon the judge declared he would keep her company . Mr. George and Miss Goldthwaite went off together to search for ferns , they said ; while Mr. Goldthwaite , Miss Keane , Minnie , and Tom went to the ravine on the other side of the Peak to find some rare specimens of wild flowers Miss Keane was anxious to secure for her collection . The judge was to whistle at four o'clock , if they had not then returned ; and promised to have tea ready , which was considered a great joke . Lucy sat on the smooth green turf , leaning against a boulder , feasting her eyes on the beauty , of which she thought her eyes could never tire . The judge lay on the grass with half-closed eyes , looking at the girl 's sweet face , wondering why it looked older and sadder and more womanly than it ought . It was a good while before either spoke .