six o'clock
The flush of it was on her cheeks , its perfume in her nostrils as she cleared the table , and washing the dishes , put them away . She sang softly to herself , with her sewing in her lap , as she rocked gently to and fro through the long , hot day . In the shade of the rose and the honeysuckle , the tempered sunbeams fell on her hair , on her work , the sweet perfume of the air mingling with the perfume of her dreams . It was almost six o'clock when Elijah and Helen returned . Following them closely was a dusty horseman . Without dismounting the horseman handed a note to Elijah . Elijah tore open the envelope , his face clouding as he read .