one o'clock
`` But I 'll take care of you , Allie , and show you all there is to be seen . Come along , Grant ; we must be going . '' And the brothers departed in haste . Punctually at one o'clock , Charlie and his cousins were at the Everetts ' , where they found that their party had received one unexpected addition . The Reverend Gabriel Hornblower had dropped in to dinner , and common courtesy had made it necessary for Mr. Everett to invite him to join the expedition . As they left the house , Louise , with her father and Dr. Brownlee , took the lead , while close in the rear walked Dr. Hornblower , edging forward as far as possible , in order to join in their conversation , with an utter disregard of Mrs. Pennypoker , who had attached herself to his side , and manifested every intention of maintaining her position . The short walk through the town was quickly taken ; and it was still early in the afternoon when they stood beside the shaft .