five o'clock
The sun was just above the wooded hills on the western horizon , and the moon had not yet risen above the bay . It had been arranged that Mr. Force , Odalite , Wynnette and Elva should accompany their cousin to the distant railway to see him off -- `` to see the last of him , '' as Wynnette put it , in a tragi-comic air . They were to go in the large sleigh , drawn by a pair of draught horses driven by Jake . Tea had been ordered at half-past five o'clock , and the sleigh was to be brought to the door at six . By that time the moon would be up and the road lightened . The servants were punctual . At the appointed hour the whole family gathered around the tea table , and by much tea drinking and more talking and laughing , tried to enliven the gloom of the last hour .