twenty minutes past six
The toast came in ; Sally came in demurely at her mother 's side . She had rushed out of the shadows to join her mother at the gate , much to Mrs. Monroe 's surprise . Conversation , subdued but general , ensued . Martie walked boldly with Rodney to the gate , at twenty minutes past six , and they stood there , laughing and talking , for another ten minutes . When she went in , it was to face unpleasantness . Her mother , with her bonnet strings dangling , was helping Lydia hastily to remove signs of the recent tea party . Sally was in the kitchen ; Len reading opposite his father .