about seven
o'clock
Doctor Lanning , the only one of the young people that had ever done anything himself , was inclined to think Glover might win out . Allen Harrison was willing to wager that trains could n't be got across a hole like that for another twenty-four hours . Mrs. Whitney wondered why , if Mr. Glover were really a competent man , he could not have held his position as chief engineer of the system , but Doctor Lanning explained that frequently Western men of real talent were wholly lacking in ambition and preferred a free-and-easy life to one of constant responsibility ; others , again , drank -- and this suggestion opened a discussion as to whether Western men could possibly do more drinking than Eastern men , and transact business at all . While the discussion proceeded there came a telegram from Glover telling Doctor Lanning that the blast would be made about seven o'clock . Preparations to start were completed as the company rose from the table , and Gertrude Brock and Marie were urged to join the party . Marie consented , but Gertrude had a new book and would not leave it , and when the others started she joined her father and Judge Saltzer , her father 's counsellor , now with them , who were dining more leisurely at their own table . Bucks met the doctor and his party at the head of the cañon and took them to the high ledge across the river , where they had been brought by Glover in the morning .