five in the
morning
His brows were lowered constantly over heavy brooding eyes ; his lips seemed set with a spring . When he finally addressed his wife , it was to tell her that she must manage with one butler and one housemaid . Coincidently he dismissed two of the gardeners and commanded the one retained , and Dick , to plant in a part of the lawns that there might be less water used . Himself came from town every evening and worked in the garden for two hours , besides arising at five in the morning and working until breakfast . He sold his finest carriage horses to Mr. Geary ; and when one of the two remaining was temporarily disabled , he rode to and from the station in the spring wagon . The monthly allowance of his wife and daughter was suspended for the summer . Mrs. Yorba , tall , garbed in black , stalked about the house with the expression of an outraged empress ; Magdaléna , being the cause of the outrage , was rarely addressed .