six o'clock
And it was the last day of waiting . The valise which held her new dress and her father 's best suit , was packed , Faith had readily taken hold of the house duties , and Margot had been , and was , unusually well and active . Ruleson had gone fishing `` to pass the time , '' he said , and all was ready for the early start they proposed to make in the morning . Ruleson generally came home in time for his six o'clock meal , but Christine , standing at the open door about four o'clock , saw him making for the harbor . `` Father 's just like a bairn , '' she thought . `` I 'm gey uplifted mysel ' , but I 'm plum steady , to what he is . '' Then Margot joined her .