one
o'clock
Miriam and Anne drifted off to explore the brookside , while Ruth posed Grace , Emma and Elfreda for snapshots until they rebelled and begged for mercy . Later half the company stayed near their impromptu camp under the big elm tree that overhung the brook while the other half went on an exploring expedition , and when they returned the first half sallied forth . `` We sha n't stay away long , '' warned Arline Thayer . `` It 's after one o'clock now , and I 'm hungry as a hunter . '' `` Still we do n't intend to let mere hunger conflict with our desire for exploration , '' was Emma Dean 's firm reminder . `` Given a chance , we may find something wonderful . We may dig the prehistoric mastodon from some snug corner where he burrowed several thousand years ago .