four o'clock
At the moment when she had expected most of life , she had been obliged to give up her dreams , and to accept in their place a monotonous , uneventful existence , which left too much time for the indulgence of her own thoughts . The weather was depressing , visitors few and far between , and , from a girl 's point of view , lacking in interest when they did arrive . Maud was stupid and obstinate , Dreda and the boys at school , and the parents depressed . Lessons , walking , and practising occupied the days until four o'clock , then the curtains were drawn , the lamps lit , and each afternoon afresh Rowena counted up the long hours which must elapse before bedtime , and asked herself how she could get through the time . Poor Rowena ! She had counted the days until Dreda 's return , and now felt yet another pang of depression at meeting this subdued edition of her lively sister . She sighed in melancholy , long-drawn fashion , while Maud wriggled and grimaced .