about four in the afternoon
Now that the plans were virtually finished , Elihu sat over them at an hour 's stretch , testing and measuring in an extreme of accuracy . Amarita watched him , with that bright anticipation in her face ; and old Mis ' Meade , her eyes intermittently upon them , thought the long thoughts of age , half scornful , half sympathizing , and wondered again how any woman could be so lost in admiration over a man . At last it was the day appointed for town meeting , and Elihu was at his task for the last time , making a fair copy for his townsmen 's eyes . It was about four in the afternoon , and the smell of hot apple-sauce was in the air . Amarita meant to have supper early , so that she could give her mind untrammeled to getting her husband into his bosomed shirt and starting him on his quest . But as she moved back and forth at her tasks she watched him , and her eyes glittered . Old Mis ' Meade noted the excitement of her air and the double tinge of color in her cheeks .