twelve o’clock
` You know perfectly well that Mrs. Grubb would never think of cutting their hair , if it swept the earth ! She may possibly have taken them to join a band ; they must be getting to a proper age for membership . At any rate , I will call there and inquire , on my way home , although I can never talk to Mrs. Grubb two minutes without wanting to shake her . ' Rhoda made her promised visit , but the house was closed and the neighbours knew nothing of the whereabouts of the children beyond the fact that Mrs. Grubb was seen talking to them as she went into the yard , a little after twelve o'clock . Rhoda naturally concluded , therefore , that Edith 's supposition must be correct , and that Mrs. Grubb had for once indulged in a family excursion . Such was not the case , however . After luncheon , Marm Lisa had washed the twins ' hands and faces in the back-yard as usual , and left them for an instant to get a towel from the kitchen .