five o'clock
These covered a wide range of subjects , although historical works and tales of the age of chivalry seemed to appeal to Irene more than any others . Sometimes she would read aloud , in her sweet , sympathetic voice , to Mary Louise and Mrs. Conant , and under these conditions they frequently found themselves interested in books which , if read by themselves , they would be sure to find intolerably dry and uninteresting . The crippled girl had a way of giving more than she received and , instead of demanding attention , would often entertain the sound-limbed ones of her immediate circle . One day Peter Conant abruptly left his office , came home and packed his grip and then hurried down town and caught the five o'clock train for New York . He was glum and uncommunicative , as usual , merely telling Aunt Hannah that business called him away and he did not know when he would be back . A week later Peter appeared at the family breakfast table , having arrived on the early morning express , and he seemed in a more gracious mood than usual . Indeed , he was really talkative .