six o'clock sharp
A moment later they were joined by their parents , neither of whom could eat , so full were they of the sorrow of departure . The children were also very quiet , even Mark 's high spirits being dampened by thoughts of leaving old friends , and several tears found their way down Ruth 's cheeks during the meal . After breakfast they said good-bye to the Wings , and went over to their own house to pack a few remaining things into hand-bags , and wait for the Skowhegan stage . At six o'clock sharp , with a `` toot , toot , toot , '' of the driver 's horn , it rattled up to the gate , followed by a wagon for the baggage . A few minutes later , with full hearts and tearful eyes , the Elmers had bidden farewell to the little old house and grand trees they might never see again , and were on their way down the village street , their long journey fairly begun . It lacked a few minutes of nine o'clock when the stage in which the Elmers had left Norton drew up beside the platform of the railway station in Skowhegan . There was only time to purchase tickets and check the baggage , and then Mark and Ruth stepped , for the first time in their lives , on board a train of cars , and were soon enjoying the novel sensation of being whirled along at what seemed to them a tremendous rate of speed .