four o'clock in the afternoon
The moor had broad shadows on it , also tracts of intense light ; the bracken was changing from green to brown and yellow color -- brilliant color was everywhere . At this time of year the moors in many ways looked their best . The Maybright children , however , were not thinking of the landscape , or the fast approach of winter , they were busily engaged chattering and consulting together . It was four o'clock in the afternoon , and they knew that the time left for them to prepare was short , consequently their busy fingers worked as well as their tongues . Helen was helping the twins and the little boys to make up a wreath of enormous dimensions , and Polly , as usual , was flitting about the room , followed by her satellite Firefly . As usual , too , Polly was first to remark and quickest to censure . She looked very much like the old Polly ; no outward change was in the least visible , although now she yielded a kind of obedience to the most gentle and unexacting of sisters , and although she still vowed daily to herself , that she , Polly , would certainly climb the highest mountain , and for father 's sake would be the best of all his children .