two o'clock
To the masculine eye it did not seem possible that such infinitesimal touches could have the slightest effect , but then bazaars are intended primarily for the entrapment of women , and Pixie knew very well that with them first impressions were all important . Every shopkeeper realises as much , which is the reason why he labels his goods just a farthing beneath the ultimate shilling . The feminine conscience might possibly shy at paying a whole three shillings for a bauble which could be done without , but , let the eye catch sight of an impressive _ Two _ , and the small eleven three-farthings is swallowed at a gulp ! At two o'clock the bazaar was formally opened in a ceremony which took exactly ten minutes , and was so dull that it appeared to have lasted a long half-hour . Geoffrey Hilliard , as squire of the village , gave an elaborate explanation of the pressing need of a parish nurse , which his hearers already understood far better than he did himself ; the wife of a neighbouring squire said that she had found a parish nurse a great acquisition in her own village , and she had very much pleasure in declaring the bazaar open , and the vicar returned thanks to the neighbouring squire 's wife for her kindness in `` being present among us to-day , '' and then every one clapped feebly , and the bazaar had begun . The few county people who were present sauntered round Esmeralda 's stall , bought trophies of china and glass , and promptly whirled away in their motors , feeling that they had nobly discharged a duty . There was no denying the fact that it was a dull occasion , and an arduous one into the bargain for sales-women who wanted to get rid of their wares .