About five o'clock
The fact that it was _ his _ sister -- Henry 's sister -- opened anew the fountain of Ella 's tears , and she wept for a long time ; but it did her good , and for the remainder of the afternoon she seemed more cheerful , and inclined to converse . The next day was the auction , and it required the persuasion of both Mrs. Campbell and Mary to keep Jenny from going , she knew not whither herself , but any where , to be near and take one more look at the dear old furniture as it passed into the hands of strangers . At last Mrs. Campbell promised that black Ezra , who had accompanied her from Chicopee , should go and report faithfully all the proceedings , and then Jenny consented to remain at home , though all the day she seemed restless and impatient , wondering how long before Uncle Ezra would return , and then weeping as in fancy she saw article after article disposed of to those who would know little how to prize it . About five o'clock Uncle Ezra came home , bringing a note from Ida , saying that the carriage would soon be round for Mary and Jenny , both of whom must surely come , as there was a pleasant surprise awaiting them . While Mary was reading this , Jenny was eagerly questioning Uncle Ezra with regard to the sale , which , he said , `` went off uncommon well , '' owing chiefly , he reckoned , `` to a tall , and mighty good-lookin ' chap , who kept bidding up and up , till he got 'em about where they should be . Then he 'd stop for someone else to bid . '' `` Who was he ? ''