five o'clock
He smiled as he found himself in something of David 's dismay at not having seen the busy young woman for quite a time . And it was perhaps an hour later that , as he sat in the breakfast room partaking of his lunch in solitary comfort , lost to the world , his wish for her brought its materialization . He had the morning 's paper propped up before him and an outspread book rested by his plate , while he held a large volume balanced on his knee , which he paused occasionally to consult . Mrs. Buchanan had telephoned that she would be home with her guest at five o'clock and his mind was filled with pleasant anticipation . But there was never a time with the major , no matter how filled the life was around him with the excitement of events , with the echo of joy or woe , the clash of social strife or the turmoil of vaster interests , when he failed to be able to plunge into his books and lose himself completely . He was in the act of consuming a remnant of a corn muffin and a draft from his paper at the same time , when he heard a merry voice in laughing greeting to Jeff , and the rose damask curtains that hung between the breakfast room and the hall parted , and Phoebe stood framed against their heavy folds . She was the freshest , most radiant , tailor-made vision imaginable and the major smiled a large joyful smile at the sight of her .