about noon
Her father drew her to him , and kissed her soft , shut , blind eyes . Then , sighing , he rose , and proposed that we should all go home . This first feast at Longfield was a most merry day . The men and their families came about noon . Soon after , they all sat down to dinner ; Jem Watkins ' plan of the barn being universally scouted in favour of an open-air feast , in the shelter of a hay-rick , under the mild blue September sky . Jem presided with a ponderous dignity which throughout the day furnished great private amusement to Ursula , John , and me . In the afternoon , all rambled about as they liked -- many under the ciceroneship of Master Edwin and Master Guy , who were very popular and grand indeed .