four o'clock
In another hour the postman would call for the letters , and she would deliver the precious packet into his hands . She had made it up in the dinner-hour , with some faint idea of carrying it to the village ; but she was tired , the rain poured , and Rob had said that the afternoon post would do . She had given up the idea of going out , and taken a nap instead on the top of her bed . And now it was four o'clock . Mellicent called out that she was dying for tea-time to come ; it had seemed such a long , long day ; they really ought to have tea earlier on these dreary , murky afternoons . '' _ I want my tea _ ! '' she chanted , in shrill , penetrating tones , and instantly the refrain was taken up by the other voices , and repeated over and over again with ever-increasing volume , until the mistress of the house rushed in to discover the reason of the clamour .