two
o'clock
Mrs. Ralph talked about the problem-play to young Heriot and a group of others . The afternoon , brilliant and blazing , brought new visitors to assist by their presence at the treat . Lady Maria always had a large house-party , and added guests from the neighbourhood to make for gaiety . At two o'clock a procession of village children and their friends and parents , headed by the village band , marched up the avenue and passed before the house on their way to their special part of the park . Lady Maria and her guests stood upon the broad steps and welcomed the jocund crowd , as it moved by , with hospitable bows and nods and becks and wreathed smiles . Everybody was in a delighted good-humour . As the villagers gathered in the park , the house-party joined them by way of the gardens .