five o'clock
`` Middlin ' well , '' returned Abner , cautiously ; `` but little Sue , here , is the water-man for me . '' Susy 's cheeks glowed , and there was a proud flash in her eyes as they met Lonnie 's . At that moment she felt equal to the task of steering a ship across the Atlantic Ocean . Not long after this praise from Abner , aunt Martha said that she and Master Lonnie were going over the river , after some wild-flower roots , and would be glad to have the boat sent for them at five o'clock . `` May n't I be the one to go ? '' asked Susy . `` If you like , '' replied the grandmother ; `` that is , if Abner is willing . ''