half past five
`` Granny , I guess a hen made her nest in your bonnet , '' whispered Tom . The old lady shook her head in helpless amazement . A week later Harry reached a brisk manufacturing place which I will call Centreville . He assisted the professor during the afternoon to get ready the hall for his evening performance and , at half past five , took his seat at the supper table in the village hotel . Just as Harry began to eat , he lifted his eyes , and started in surprise as he recognized , in his opposite neighbor , Luke Harrison , whose abrupt departure without paying his debts the reader will remember . Under the circumstances , it will not be wondered at that our hero 's look was not exactly cordial . As for Luke , he was disagreeably startled at Harry 's sudden appearance .