about seven o'clock
The lake was a beautiful bit of water , and in some parts of it pond-lilies grew in abundance . The young people gathered a quantity of these , both white and pink , to decorate the supper-table . Then when the feast was ready , Uncle Charlie called the children together , and they came with a will , for their afternoon out of doors had given them a good appetite for the hamwiches and jamwiches . After supper was over , it was about seven o'clock , and Uncle Charlie told his young guests that they could ramble round for half an hour , and then they would start on their homeward ride . The path by the side of the lake was a very pretty one , and Mrs. Elliott and her husband walked along there with little Gilbert between them . The child was getting sleepy and a little wilful ; and while Jane , his nurse , was eating her supper , his parents had him in charge . Soon they heard Frank 's voice calling , `` Father , wo n't you please come here a minute and help us get this swing down ? ''