five o'clock
Patience drew a long breath . `` Well , he 's off at last ! But , oh , dear , however can we wait 'til he gets back ? '' It was five o'clock that afternoon when Patience , perched , a little white-clad sentry , on the gate-post , announced joyously -- `` They 're coming ! They 're coming ! '' Patience was as excited as if the expected `` guest '' were one in fact , as well as name . It was fun to be playing a game of make-believe , in which the elders took part .