three o'clock
The day of festival came at last ; the sun arose gloriously , not a cloud was in the sky , all the merry-makers might go in their best , and all hearts might be jubilant . It was delightful to see Northbury on this day , for so gay were the costumes worn by its inhabitants that as they passed through the narrow old streets they gave the place of their birth a picturesque and even a foreign appearance . The Rectory was just outside the town , and , of course , all the footsteps were bending thither . The Rector had invited his guests to assemble at three o'clock , and punctually at a quarter to that hour Miss Peters seated herself in her bay window , armed with a spy-glass to watch the gathering crowd . Miss Peters was already arrayed in her festive clothes , but she and Mrs. Butler thought it ungenteel not to be , at least , an hour late . `` The Bertrams will be sure to be late , '' remarked the good lady to her sister , `` and we , too , Martha , will show that we know what 's what . '' `` Which we do n't , '' snapped Mrs. Butler .