three o'clock in the afternoon
It was then that Jack suggested to Miss Lennox that they go by another path of which he knew , but which he had not lately tried . The remainder of the party took the old route , and so the two made the journey once more alone . The man was resolved again . It was three o'clock in the afternoon now , and about as pleasant a day as any upon which man ever made a proposal . Jack took his fate in his hands . He was simple and straightforward about it , and certainly made a rather neat job of the affair . He showed his intensity and earnestness ; and it seemed rather hard that when he concluded he was not at once accepted by the handsome girl , who stood there blushing , but with a certain firmly regretful expression about the mouth .