one o'clock
They would have refused to touch the cake had one of their schoolfellows offered it , but they obeyed Mrs. Miles just as though she were their real mother . And while they ate , and drank their hot milk , the good woman went on with her cooking operations . `` I am having a fine joint to-day , '' she said : `` corned beef that could n't be beat in any county in England , and that 's saying a good deal . It 'll be on the table , with dumplings to match and a big apple-tart , sharp at one o'clock . I might ha ' guessed that some o ' them dear little missies were coming to dinner , for I do n't always have a hot joint like this in the middle o ' the week . '' The girls suddenly felt that of all things in the world they would like corned beef best ; that dumplings would be a delicious accompaniment ; and that apple-tart , eaten with Mrs. Miles 's rich cream , would go well with such a dinner . They became almost cheerful .