four o'clock
And oh , what a noble drum it boasted of ! -- could musical ambition mount higher than to be permitted the privilege of belabouring thundering sounds out of its parchment ends ? Such clearly was the view of two of the youngest members of the Band of Hope , who were gazing with fond and awed admiration at the big drum itself and its highly favoured bearer . Shortly before four o'clock the vicar and his sister made their appearance ; and then , in a little while , the procession , with appropriate banners flying , large and small , was on its way , Mr and Miss Maltby marching at the head , and Thomas Bradly bringing up the rear . In front of the procession was the band , which struck up a lively air as all stepped forward , the drum being particularly emphatic at every turning . Just at the outskirts of the town an open carriage joined the long line : there were in it Mrs Maltby and her daughter , who had returned from the seaside a few days before , and Jane Bradly , who was not yet equal to much exertion . On , on they marched , bright and happy , conscious that their cause was a good one , and that their enjoyment would not be marred by any excesses .