five o'clock
For sixteen years the grand old house had remained closed -- the plantation being placed in charge of a careful overseer . Once again Whitestone Hall was thrown open to welcome the master , Basil Hurlhurst , who had returned from abroad , bringing with him his beautiful daughter and a party of friends . The interior of the little cottage was astir with bustling activity . It was five o'clock ; the chimes had played the hour ; the laborers were going to the fields , and the dairy-maids were beginning their work . In the door-way of the cottage stood a tall , angular woman , shading her flushed and heated face from the sun 's rays with her hand . `` Daisy , Daisy ! '' she calls , in a harsh , rasping voice , `` where are you , you good-for-nothing lazy girl ?