four o'clock
`` But when could we have the party ? '' asked the Captain . `` It 's too soon to have it this Saturday afternoon , and next week the older children will have school . '' `` Could n't we have it at four o'clock ? '' suggested Ethel ; `` I should think we could keep them out until half-past five , and then we could take them home ourselves , because , of course , it would be too dark by then for them to go alone . '' They decided upon Thursday afternoon , for the girls were to leave Miss Allen 's at noon on Friday ; and a hundred dollars was appropriated for the party and the presents . The time seemed all too short for the committee in charge ; indeed , every member of the troop served in some way .